Feedback Sports 20th Anniversary Repair Stand

You can forget that this is a 20th anniversary edition of Feedback's "Pro Mechanic" repair stand because the same features, minus the gold accents, plaque and gold ano release button. It holds bikes up to 40 lbs (18kg), weighs less than a Tour de France bike and packs into a nicely padded carrying case, which is the only element that doesn't come included in the price of the regular Pro Mechanic, but you'll end up spending about the same cash if you add the case to your order since the 20th version costs 55 USD more.

There seems to have been an explosion in DIY everything since COVID. Obviously every damn thing costs more money and there was a time when leaving the house seemed perilous to many. Beyond that it seems that people are discovering the deep satisfaction that comes from fixing and maintaining your own shit. There's nothing like the feeling of saddling up after you've just completed a task you never thought you'd be able to accomplish on your own. Youtube may have helped, but that does nothing to diminish your enhanced self-worth. I guarantee you'll be riding better as well.

Of course if you are following this path you'll need a repair stand, and the great news is you'll pay it off in no time with the money you save on labour. In fact, you should probably buy two. At least that's what happens to me when I justify tool purchases.

In Use

This is not a dedicated stay at home work stand. It weighs only 12 lbs and is made mostly of aluminum. The expanding tripod base is sturdy enough but if you've ever sat upon a three-legged chair you'll understand its limitations. For the most part it is stable but you may have to move your bike around based on the job at hand. Luckily, it's easy enough to rotate the head to best support your bike. Generally, having one leg pointing straight forward at right angles to your bike produces the most stability.

The clamp head can be rotated 360º if you'd like to work beneath your bottom bracket, for example. I generally clamp to the dropper post collar because it gives the clamp something to hang on to and because it seems unlikely you'll be able to ovalize both tubes at once. Many riders think it's taboo to clamp your post's upper tube but some of the most experienced mechanics I know do it regularly, and I have started to follow their lead without drama.

If you have started working on your bike recently, you've likely come to the conclusion that some method of supporting your bike is essential. There are other solutions that are less expensive and relatively functional. The first bike shops I worked in all employed ceiling-mounted hooks to support bikes for mechanics. This works great and costs as much as some rope and some hooks. You'll likely need to fashion something made of sturdy metal to hold your handlebars on each side of your stem, but it works much better than turning your bike upside down for most tasks.

If you are more serious and plan on doing as much of your own work as you can, a real stand is a huge help.

Features (as listed by Feedback)

• Patented, ratcheting action seatpost clamp features spinner knob for fast, one-handed operation.
• Quick release button for instant clamp jaw opening.
• Maximum clutch body hold for the 360-degree rotating clamp provides easy access to any part of your bicycle.
• Lightweight 12.2 lbs (5.5kg) for easy portability.
• Frame clamp positions from 42″-67″ (107-170cm) in height.
• Micro-adjusting clamp jaw grip secures and protects expensive components and beautifully painted frames.
• Soft-touch rubber clamp jaw covers are tool-free replaceable.
• Clamp opening up to 2.6″ (6.6cm) accommodates the largest diameter frame tubes.
• Anodized 6061 T6 aluminum construction is ultralight, corrosion resistant and incredibly durable.
• Sturdy metal fittings and quick releases for a lifetime of duty in the field or at home.
• Stiff tripod base and rubber-coated end caps create ultimate stability even on uneven surfaces.
• Optimized for bikes up to 40lbs (18.1kg) to accommodate service on road, cyclocross, and XC mountain bikes. Maximum capacity 85lbs (34kg)*.
• Portable and compact construction creates a remarkably small folded footprint of 5″ x 8″ x 45″ (13 x 20 x 115cm).
• Available travel bag is water-resistant, durable and padded to protect your stand and your other equipment.
• Quick-release fittings make setup and storage fast and convenient.
• Complete inventory of repair parts for long-term serviceability.
• 3-Year Warranty.

Limitations

In retrospect, considering I only work on mountain bikes that weigh north of 30 lbs, and often eMTBs that can weigh twice that, I'd prefer the heavier Pro Mechanic HD stand. It lists an optimized weight of up to 70 lbs and a max of 100 lbs while the Pro version is optimized for up to 40 lbs but will accept up to 85 pounders. I don't always feel like my bike is securely supported. It doesn't fall over generally but a little more support would be welcome for an extra 100 USD. Otherwise I didn't really find fault in this light, adjustable and highly portable repair stand and I really enjoy using it.

The Pro version of Feedback's stand is a big step up from the one I've used in the past. The clamping mechanism was more difficult to use, as was the release button, and both are slick on this version. The 20th anniversary edition can still be found at some retailers but Feedback has none left. Fear not though, the regular Pro Repair stand does everything this one does, only with red instead of golden hues.

This is a great stand. It's not cheap at 450 USD (20th anniversary version) or 395 USD (regular Pro version without case) but you'll pay it off in no time with saved labour costs. If you ride heavy bikes are crave stability in your life, go for the HD version for 495 USD.

Feedback Sports 20th Anniversary Repair Stand