Bicycle kickstand: The Feedback Sports Pro Mechanic HD in test

Feedback Sports Pro Mechanic HD - Info and price of the bike mounting stand

• Oversized, anodised 6061 T6 aluminium construction, corrosion-resistant
• Optimised for bikes up to 31.7 kg; maximum load capacity 45.5 kg (100 lbs).
• Stiff legs and rubber feet for stability even on uneven surfaces
• Ratchet fastener combined with crank for quick closing
• Replaceable rubber protectors to protect components and paintwork
• Quick-release fasteners for fast assembly and disassembly
• Maximum clamping opening: 6.6 cm
• Clamping height: 107 to 170 cm
• Stowage dimension: 13 x 20 x 115 cm
• Weight: 8.1 kg
• Price: 495 Euro >> available here

For many years, we thought that nothing could be improved on a product like the Pro-Elite workstand from Feedback Sports. The workstand accompanies the BIKE team to every test ride and has always impressed with its indestructible quality, outstanding handling and small pack size. However, when it comes to enduro bikes, which nowadays can easily weigh over 15 kilos, or when working on eMTBs, the lightweight stand has reached its stability limits.

Feedback Sports Pro Mechanic HD - what's new about the bike repair stand

• Crank lock for fast and precise closing in combination with the proven Speed-Ratchet clamp opening
• Larger twist lock at the rear for better ergonomics and leverage when tightening the clamping arm.
• New design of the clamps on the tripod provides a stable hold and long service life.
• The inner workings of the coupling between the clamping arm and tripod should provide 145% more holding force for the 360-degree rotating clamping arm compared to the previous model.
• Rubber clamping jaws can be replaced without tools for a secure hold and easy maintenance.

The Feedback Sports engineers have recognised the changing challenges and have launched the Pro Mechanic HD, a kind of heavy-duty version of the Pro Elite stand. Massive aluminium legs and larger tube diameters are said to give the Pro Mechanic 145 percent more rigidity. We have not measured this, but the increase in stability is absolutely noticeable. The eight-kilo repair and assembly stand for bicycles stands like a rock even with an e-bike between the rubberised clamping jaws and holds even heavy bikes (max. 45.5 kg) effortlessly in the balance.

Pro Mechanic HD assembly stand: the structure

The assembly stand can be set up in just a few simple steps. The large and very smooth-running twist lock at the rear is used to bring the boom into a horizontal position. Then open the large metal quick-release clamps. The three massive legs slide into the end position almost automatically and the clamp closes smoothly. The working height can be varied between 107 and 170 cm using another quick release. Here too, the thick uprights slide into each other without much resistance. With a little force, the adjustment can even be made while the bike is hanging in the stand.

Hanging up the bike

As with its predecessor, the clamp can be opened easily using a quick-release fastener. If you press the red buzzer, the clamp snaps open a maximum of 6.6 centimetres with the two generously rubberised jaws - this is also enough to clamp thicker tubes.

The bikes can be clamped quickly using the practical one-hand lock with crank function. A blessing for the biceps, which are quite strained on many bike stands. However, clamping does not work as quickly as a clamping lever, e.g. on Park Tool stands - even if the clamping jaws can be pushed close to the tube to be clamped using the ratchet function.

Working on the Feedback Sports Pro Mechanic HD

Thanks to the tripod design, the Pro Mechanic HD is extremely stable and hardly tends to tip over in any situation, provided the feet are correctly aligned on the ground. The boom can be rotated through 360 degrees to make it easier to reach nooks and crannies on the bike while wrenching. To rotate it, simply open the rear twist lock slightly. This is also possible with the bike attached. The clamp grips like Arnold Schwarzenegger shaking hands. The Feedback Sports bike mounting stand holds even heavy e-bikes with mounted wheels securely in an inclined position.

To unhook the bike, simply hold it by the frame and press the red buzzer again. This automatically releases the bike without the hassle of cranking.

With a pack size of just 13 x 20 x 115 centimetres, the Pro Mechanic HD is still absolutely transportable and will certainly accompany us on numerous test rides in the future - even if it has become significantly heavier than its predecessor at a good eight kilos. The folding process itself is just as smooth as ever. Open the clamp, pull up the legs, fold down the outriggers and off it goes into the workshop or the boot.

Conclusion on the Feedback Sports Pro Mechanic HD bike stand

495 euros is by no means a bargain for a mounting stand. However, once you have Feedback Sports Pro Mechanic HD* Once you've screwed it on, you won't be giving it back any time soon. Hardly any other workstand is so easy to assemble and dismantle. Operation and workmanship are also first class. Experience also shows that all clamps on the Pro Mechanic HD run smoothly and reliably over the long term, even with intensive use, meaning that the investment pays off in less stress and a more relaxed screwdriving experience.

The alternative: Feedback Sports Pro Mechanic

For 100 euros less, the Americans offer a slightly reduced version of the new bike mounting stand. It also has the new, improved twist locks and a revised boom. However, the load capacity is "only" 34 kg, which should still be absolutely sufficient for most bikes and jobs. On the other hand, the Pro Mechanic is slightly smaller in terms of storage dimensions (13 x 21 x 115 cm) and, at 5.7 kg, is significantly lighter. Ideal for travelling. The Feedback Sorts Pro Mechanic costs 395 Euro.