Hot take: Park Tool stands are overrated for home mechanics

I was over at my buddy's shop in Portland last week and he showed me how he just flips his bike upside down and uses a milk crate to hold it steady. He's been doing this for 15 years and his repairs look cleaner than mine even with my $200 Park Tool stand. So now I'm wondering - are fancy repair stands really worth the cash for weekend warriors, or are we all just buying into the hype? Has anyone else ditched their stand for a simpler setup?

2 comments

2 Comments

oliverbailey5d ago

Dude, I once tried a cardboard box and my bike tipped over mid-derailleur adjustment.

noran215d ago

Cardboard box is a rookie move, you gotta use a milk crate or something heavy. I tried using a stack of old magazines once and my bike did a slow motion tip right into my tool box, crushed a derailleur hanger. Now I just flip the bike upside down and rest it on the handlebars and seat, works fine unless the handlebars are loose.