Bike Stand: Clamp vs fork mount

[jimmy156]

Hello all,

Any advice on types of bike stand? I was going for a clamp style one like this:



But everything i read says not to clamp the top tube, always clamp the seat post... but with an aluminium frame and a carbon seatpost this seems counter intuitive...

So thought about a fork mount one like this:



Which solves the above dilemma, but they seem to me that they would be more faff?

Anyone have experience of both types? Any clear advantages? Price wise, there is only £25 in it, so that doesn't factor!

[Centurion07]

Mad Scientist said:

Just clamp the seat post but don’t go mental.

If it can support you sat on the top of it, it can support the bike.

Sitting on the saddle all the force is going directly downwards through the post which is what they're designed for.

Clamping the seatpost allows the weight of the bike to
effectively try and bend the seatpost as it's trying to pivot around that clamping point.

Just don't wind the clamp on supertight and wherever you put it you'll be fine.

[Juffled]

Centurion07 said:

Sitting on the saddle all the force is going directly downwards through the post which is what they're designed for.

No it doesn't and no they aren't, seatpost angle is usually 74deg'ish + layback saddle positions + testing requirements for seatposts (loads nose and tail) means that every single seatpost in the world is designed for bending and not pure compression.

They are also designed for clamping....at the top tube junction so your seat tube doesn't slip. I'm yet to see a seatpost with a significantly different layup through its height, except where the head is, it will be fine to be clamped in a stand.

The reason you don't clamp a top tube is because they are not round, are usually <1mm thick (0.8mm typically) so you cant clamp them properly and you create pinch points and the thing buckles in, they are only strong in tension.

[Centurion07]

Yeah, you're probably right, but it just feels horrible from an engineering POV when you clamp the seatpost and you can just feel the bike trying to bend it in half.

[fathomfive]

I have the fork clamp type. The only downside from my experience is, by nature, the design requires the front wheel to be removed, though that's not hampered me much in fairness.

It's nice and stable with the bike on and can be lifted up and down and spun through 360° nice and freely.

[gazza285]

Centurion07 said:

Yeah, you're probably right, but it just feels horrible from an engineering POV when you clamp the seatpost and you can just feel the bike trying to bend it in half.

7kg of static bike Vs some fat bd riding down a bumpy road?

[Centurion07]

Force is not in exactly the same direction, which was my original point.

[AlmostUseful]

You can’t adjust brakes or install forks with a fork mount one, just get the seatpost mounted one. I’ve had the same one since about 2001 and it’s clamped hundred of seatposts, carbon, aluminium and droppers - never damaged one, even when my
40 odd lb Intense M3 was hanging off the carbon seatpost I had for a while. I’ve also clamped top tubes and seat tubes lightly when necessary.

[SoliD]

Both have their benefits, fork mount is massively more sturdy, but then you've got to take off the wheel. IF you have the space and money, fork mount one for proper jobs and clamp one for quick jobs.

[jimmy156]

Thanks all!

I’ve order a clamp style one! (Lifeline one from wiggle) I will just clamp lightly!

[shalmaneser]

Every bike shop in the world has a stand that can clamp to the seat tube. Just get one of them, it's fine. Just don't clamp at the centre of the top tube or down tube, clamp. On the the seat post or top of the seat tube.