Relaxed working: 8 assembly stands in comparison

It's kind of amazing. We have finally learnt to walk upright, use our hands, make tools, have conquered the world and then this: less than seven million years later, we are kneeling on the ground again trying to adjust a bicycle gear without rattling. Holding up the rear tyre with one hand and turning the crank with the other, we despair of turning the annoying tockatackatacka of the chain into a gentle purr. But we have long since invented the solution: A third arm to give us a helping hand. Clamped in the assembly stand, the bike hangs directly in front of us. In a back-friendly position, we have a perfect view of the adjusting screws and pulleys and can concentrate on the essentials - the distance between the outer chain plates and the next sprocket with millimetre precision.

The good news is that a good assembly stand doesn't even have to be expensive - and the most expensive model is not necessarily the best. Among the eight models tested, hobby mechanics can find a reliable helper for as little as 130 euros. While workshop professionals usually prefer models that are firmly anchored to the floor, the folding version is more suitable for amateurs. They can be stowed away to save space and can also be taken on holiday or to a race weekend in the boot.

Three wide-spread legs are much safer than a "two-legged" stool because they are better at levelling out uneven surfaces. The working height can be adjusted on all models. However, this is only possible if the tubes slide smoothly into each other, even if the bike is already clamped. Incidentally, force is less important when it comes to the clamp: All mounting stands grip the tubes firmly enough. Pure screw fasteners can only be closed piece by piece, while the bike has to be clamped between the clamping jaws with one hand. But what would evolution be if we hadn't found a solution for this too: adjustable knee levers or quick-release levers like those on Feedback or Super B make it easier to mount the bike and distinguish the Neanderthals from the homo sapiens of the bike stand, so to speak.

Mounting stand: Be careful with carbon parts - 4 tips

1. Carbon frames should never be clamped in the assembly stand because the fibres react sensitively to pressure. You should also exercise caution with carbon seat posts. Better: Replace the carbon seat post with an old aluminium seat post for maintenance. This can then be clamped without any problems.
   
2. Our laboratory has not yet encountered any problems when clamping telescopic supports - neither on the thin nor the thick tube. However, always make sure that the sliding surface on the stand tube is absolutely clean and that the clamping jaws on the kickstand are clean to avoid scratches. It is best to clamp your bike to the kickstand using the dip tube.
   
3. Only clamp as tightly as necessary! If you tighten the clamp jaws too tightly, you risk damaging the bike. Clamping jaws that are tightened with a screw can usually be operated more sensitively. Eccentric levers can quickly become too tight around the seat post or frame tubes.
   
4. A light-coloured mat or a low-pile carpet under the assembly stand makes it easier to find small parts that have fallen off and makes it easier to work on your knees. In addition, the parts do not bounce so far away, the floor remains clean and tools do not hit the ground so hard.

We have tested these 8 kickstands

• Contec Rock Steady
• Feedback Sports Pro Elite
• Park Tool PRS-25
• Pedro's Folding Repair Stand
• Super B Top Assist assembly stand
• Topeak Prepstand Elite / Pro
• Unior BikeGator+
• Xtreme S 1300

CONTEC Rock Steady

• Price: 129,95 Euro
• Weight / maximum load / storage dimensions: 4.55 kg / 30 kg / 100 x 17 x 19 cm
• Working height / max. tube diameter: 97 to 150 cm / 55 mm

This kickstand is also available in an almost identical design from brands such as BBB and Procraft. The biggest drawback of these models is the less torsion-resistant boom and the wobbly clamp that opens too narrowly. The stability is also not ideal. A tool tray and transport bag are available from Contec as accessories. This assembly stand is definitely a recommendation for occasional wrenchers, especially if you compare the widely varying prices online before buying.

BIKE judgement: GOOD

FEEDBACK SPORTS Pro Elite

• Price: 319 Euro
• Weight / maximum load / storage dimensions: 5.4 kg / 38.6 kg / 115 x 19.5 x 13 cm
• Working height / max. tube diameter: 109 to 180 cm / 66 mm

According to our mechanics, the Pro Elite Workstand is the best on the market. The robust clamp makes it possible to adjust it to different tube diameters in a flash and open it again at the touch of a button. Large turning wheels and smooth-running quick-release clamps make handling a pleasure. Thanks to the tripod design, the Pro Elite is also stable off-road. It can be folded up very compactly in a few simple steps. High-quality materials guarantee a long service life.

BIKE verdict: SUPER

PARK TOOL PRS-25

• Price: 440 Euro
• Weight / maximum load / storage dimensions: 5.9 kg / 45 kg / 119 x 25 x 22 cm
• Working height / max. tube diameter: 85 to 180 cm / 76 mm

Thanks to its hexagonal tube profile and widely projecting feet, the PRS-25 stands like a rock in the surf. The working height and clamping width can be generously adjusted. The toggle lever opens the clamping jaws wide, but is somewhat small and stiff. The clamping head has to be unscrewed for transport, but even then the storage space is still quite generous. For the price, we would have expected a little less plastic. A tool tray, paper towel holder and transport bag are available as options.

BIKE verdict: VERY GOOD

PEDRO'S Folding Repair Stand

• Price: 299,99 Euro
• Weight / maximum load / storage dimensions: 8.8 kg / 40 kg / 106 x 31 x 19 cm
• Working height / max. tube diameter: 106 to 187 cm / 65 cm

The solid Pedro's looks like it was made for eternity. The materials are all of very high quality and robust, the stand is very secure thanks to the wide feet. Unique: The bike is clamped piece by piece using a comfortable pistol grip. However, this method is somewhat slower and less precise than classic clamps. The boom is not completely horizontal, so the bike hangs crookedly in the stand. The heavy Pedro's can be easily folded and then disappears into a robust transport bag.

BIKE verdict: VERY GOOD

SUPER B Top Assist assembly stand

• Price: 199 Euro
• Weight / maximum load / storage dimensions: 5.1 kg / 40 kg / 121 x 24 x 15 cm
• Working height / max. tube diameter: 107 to 146 cm / 52 mm

The Super B shines with a solid metal clamping head. It opens wide and can be securely closed thanks to a large lever and finely adjusted using a knurled screw. The plastic extension arm and the coarse angle adjustment are less attractive. The working height can also only be adjusted over a small range. Due to the almost vertical standpipe and the narrow, short feet, the Super B is quite wobbly. The tool tray sits very low down for tall screwdrivers.

BIKE judgement: GOOD

TOPEAK Prepstand Elite / Pro

• Price: 279.95 / 329.95 euros (Pro version)
• Weight / maximum load / storage dimensions: 5.7 kg / 25 kg / 123 x 13.5 x 20 cm
• Working height / max. tube diameter: 122 to 183 cm / 45 mm

The Topeak classic is quickly set up thanks to large, stable quick-release clamps and high-quality materials and then stands very securely with a wide tripod with solid rubber coating. The boom can be folded down easily, but it warps significantly under load. The somewhat angular clamp closes very slowly and is often a little stiff. The Pro version comes with integrated, precise scales. If you want to save 60 euros, go for the Elite version with a small parts compartment. A transport bag is included in the set.

BIKE verdict: VERY GOOD

UNIOR BikeGator+

• Price: 312,99 Euro
• Weight / maximum load / storage dimensions: 5.65 kg / 30 kg / 109 x 31 x 20 cm
• Working height / max. tube diameter: 99 to 150 cm / 32 mm

Unior leaves nothing to chance when it comes to materials; plastic is only used on the large, easy-to-operate rocker arm. Quick release, tubes, extension arms and connecting pieces - the focus here is on durability. The solid clamp adjusts to the tube diameter via a spring. Unfortunately, its clamping force is somewhat low and the clamping jaws are easily pushed apart under load. The clamping width is very limited. The short feet make the Unior a little wobbly, and the arm cannot be folded down.

BIKE verdict: VERY GOOD

XTREME S 1300 (Rose Bikes)

• Price: 56,95 Euro
• Weight / maximum load / storage dimensions: 6.95 kg / 18 kg / not foldable
• Working height / max. tube diameter: 100 to 160 cm / 52 mm

The S 1300 actually does exactly what it is supposed to do: fix the bike at working height. But even the Ikea-style assembly is not much fun. The cast aluminium and plastic parts don't look very high quality. Two foot plugs tear during assembly. The angular quick-release clamps struggle to clamp the tubes securely. The plastic toggle lever presses into the palms of your hands. The S 1300 stands securely on flat surfaces, but is rather wobbly off-road. OK for occasional work, but if you do a lot of bolting, you won't be happy with the S 1300.

BIKE verdict: SATISFACTORY