How To Make A Bike Repair Stand DIY

Here is my home made bike work stand. I would love a nice Park Tool bike stand, but they are pretty pricey.It was a lot cheaper to build my own. I have been using this stand to work on my bikes for at five years or more, and it still works great. The basic design can easily be modified for your own needs.
The latch is called a "straight loop draw latch". I originally bought it at Lowes, but am not seeing them there now. I don't see them at Home Depot either. But I found a bunch on Amazon and other online places.
Here is a page with detailed plans and parts list for this bike stand:
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[@RJTheBikeGuy]

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[@RJTheBikeGuy]

@Stevie Blue I doubt it would be very solid.

[@andrijs1521]

plans link dead

[@PhD63]

Brilliant. Probably the best DIY bike stand I’ve seen. Most of the others I’ve seen require tools and materials that would cost more than buying one.

[@zombpocolypseiscomin]

Hey RJ, BLOODY AWESOME DESIGN! I just finished mine using the pony clamp design, works awesome. This easily saved me $150 and it was a fun, simple build. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@jerryhorn3621]

what a "pony clamp" computer has no clue either?

[@Assimilator702]

@@jerryhorn3621 Pony is a company that makes woodworking clamps.

[@DigitalMentorGroup]

RJ, this is a brilliant solution for every DIY amateur bike mechanic! Thank you for posting these work instructions.

[@terrencebranscombe3257]

Thanks for sharing this great bike repair stand plan. I'm an avid photographer that dabbles occasionally with film cameras, and to beat the high cost of getting my negatives scanned for sharing online, I built a DIY copy stand with precisely the same technique as you show here. The beauty of your plan is that I can make use of the same base and simply swap out the 18" pipe I have for mounting my DSLR (scanner) on for your 56" length with the other bits attached. The universe provides to those that share. Cheers, mate.

[@nwm8357]

I have read your comment 3 times trying to really understand what you are doing here. Could you elaborate more if you can. Thanks!

[@garettpatria]

This is the best (i.e. most function vs. resource efficient) design I've seen and I love it. However, I can't ignore the unsexy fact that just dual-using my old trunk/liftgate bike rack as a work stand works perfectly for $0. Your video made me think of it though, so kudos for the inspiration!

[@ibelieveyou2066]

Fantastic,engineering.Inspired me,to make my own.

[@f1948s]

Thank you so much RJ for sharing your plans and video with us. This is exactly what I need. I retired and am trying to fix up an older mountain bike and needed something like this to help me adjust the front and rear derailleurs. I think this is the most stable of designs I have seen for self made stands. I think I will have to use a 1.5" PVC T because of the size of the crossbar on one of the bikes I will be working to repair.

[@Pinhead101]

Thanks RJ. I watched a dozen videos already I figure I would let you know they have helped me get a complete tune-up of my bike.

[@ArnoldsIOS]

Thanks a lot for the great build! Most people out there that are complaining about spending the time to actually buy the parts and build it, have either never build something valuable and or useable in their life or are too lazy to do it. Which is fine, "to each his own" I guess lol. But there is real satisfaction in building something with your own hands. I will start tomorrow on this build ;)

[@RichardJoeLeonn]

I've been a bicycle mechanic for over 35 years and all I have to say about this is not bad not bad at all :)

[@grizzle273463]

I have already bought a pro bike stand years ago, but your video was presented very well and you explained everything very clearly. I wish I knew of this before I bought my stand. Thanks for sharing this. Very well made.

[@mattwoodward24]

I built my bike stand mostly from materials at hand in my shop, which makes it REALLY cheap. It pays to be a pack rat! I bought: tee, buckle, hinges, a U-bolt, and some rivets, that's all. The vertical post was cut from an old chain link fence post, and the short horizontal pipe was cut from what used to be the tube of a floor pump. For the base, I used a round piece of double plywood that once was part of a compost sifter. The base, post, and horizontal pipe are connected using wooden pieces that I made. Several people suggested using rivets in the tee-clamp, and I heartily agree. They are so strong that I used only two rivets per hinge (not 4). In the tee-clamp, I used self-stick felt furniture pads. I had to work on the buckle a bit to make it work on the curved surface of the tee. To store the bike stand, I'll loosen the U-bolt that holds the bottom of the post, to separate post from base. Thanks, RJ, for the idea.

[@SANTINIIO]

I made a bike stand just like this after watching your video. I could have waited and saved up some money for a bike stand instead of making one, but it's good to build something every once in a while. I went with slightly smaller pipes to save some money, but it works just as well. Thanks for the video and idea!

[@jameswatkins3866]

Sweet. I hope you don't mind, I'm going to copy the heck out of your design! I almost bought a $150 dollar stand on amazon, but was hesitant because of some negative reviews about the clamp feature. I thought, wth, look on you tube about making one, and voila! Thanks to the max!

[@doosierty100]

I like this stand the most out of the videos I've seen for DIY stands. Awesome job man!

[@jen3800]

awesome, RJ you are a real inspiration, man I am trying to start a repair biz, and teach repair clinics. This would be a handy tutorial for my clients

[@bdubs6666]

Awesome video and plans! I have been looking to make my own stand and this seems sturdy, inexpensive and relatively simple to make. Thank you for the plans and parts list.

[@kenitcimm3467]

You're a super star making this! Bloody top shelf job!! Well done! Very impressed with your stand! They are so overpriced!! What a racket! Good for you!

[@Sudipto17Kolkata]

Thanks a tonne. Made my own, albeit with a few improvisations on your basic design. A. Screwed the second piece of plywood in the four corners instead of using adhesive. B. Inserted the bolts from the bottom and sawed off the ends that came out on this side of the flange. C. Used six rubber buffers on the bottom of the wood. D. Used a more improvised clamping system. Basically, welded a small rail kind of thing (wide enough for the top tube to sit on), to a short piece of round pipe with internal thread on one side (I think plumbers call it a socket) which I fixed to the extending arm. Works fine for me with a piece of foam in it to make it scratch proof. If I made another one I would make it chest high. This one I made is as high as my neck. I could saw the pipe off and sort the problem but don't want to dismantle it again.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Depends on the hardware you use. Just buys some small screws to match the holes in the hinges and the latch, and long enough to go through the hardware and the PVC. You can always cut the screws a little shorter if you need to.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

You can try them. Would you do them from the outside in, or the inside out. They may not hold well into the softer plastic, or split the plastic.

[@markbattista6238]

As usual spot on.there is one thing that might look and more importantly work better , perhaps use a piece of carpet for where you clamp the top tube in and a matching piece to cover the base.

[@jerrynast7759]

Very clever! Simple & elegant! I will definitely make one

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

It's pretty sturdy. I use it in a few of my other videos.

[@JoeL-yf4ee]

Nice stand. Starting with your idea I expanded on it. I made the base a little wider to the rear and more two the front the reasoning for that is because I used a shorter pipe at the top going out of the 90 to a union then another short pipe to the PVC tee this way I can losing the union and move the bike 360 around if I wanted to. If you do this though you need to keep two crescent wrench close so I made a tool tray. I cut the standing pipe 2/3 up from the floor and re-threaded the pipe ends after cutting a hole in the middle of a pan I put a coupling first then placed the pan over the hole screwed the upper part on the done right? Not lol. Pan might move so I used J.B Welled. Worked grate. Working on a better Tee end now. The second end is easier. Just put another flange on the top end still using the shorter pipe and losing the union. Go to Lowe's or where ever and buy a storage hanger. Lowe's has one that works just right No# 267936. You can't 360 the bike but the arms of the hanger are long and wide just use a Velcro strap to hold the bike in case you bump it. Their you are two types of hangers one stand.

[@5353iceman]

That is ingenious. Thank you

[@dewiowen3010]

Well done mate. Creative and useful.

[@gerardlunow567]

Super simple fabulous design. In an hour I'll have one too. You solved all the issues.

[@ceruleanfish6703]

Nice DIY! In a pinch for a straight top tube rodie a winner. I would prefer adapting the stand to use and mount to the seat post ideally. This is a must if your rodie bike is carbon. Also less chance to crush brake/derailleur cables. Secondary mount point would be the frame seat tube. Afraid you'll loose your perfectly adjusted seat post height if you need to extend it? Just get and old knife or nail and mark a small line in it at the top of the frame seat tube before you move it.

[@phoenix89naca12]

Thank You for this simple yet inexpensive solution to building a repair stand. Awesome Cheers

[@ronnicolas5669]

Seen sevral stand-plans this one is by far the best--thanks, I'm off to Lowes

[@Dedthread]

hi hows 2012

[@zeroed4x]

Brilliant DYI engineering and execution. Thanks for sharing.

[@MaghoxFr]

the solution for the clamp is genius, real skills there man.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

The hose clamps to hold the PVC T part will be a pain. You can always replace them with hinges and a latch later.

[@timbeaty9802]

Perfect! I have the stand but just couldn't come up with a clamp. Good work! My stand is all 1 1/2" PVC and can be taken apart into two pieces and hung up on the wall of my little shop/shed.

[@oxyjohn3051]

You have a picture of yours?

[@zozopepe]

Beautiful simple design, thanks for sharing!

[@moondoggg22]

Sweet DIY bike stand. I have brake and shift cables running through the bottome of the top tube. with your stand looks like by simply turning the clamp veriticle will hold the bike using the seat post. fun project. Great video.

[@Fsuholley]

Great Idea. Easy to build. I will be making this real soon. Thanks.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

The base is very sturdy.

[@johncasor9698]

home depot & lowes has a pipe vice for $15 you can use to hold seat post works great & its a 3/4 pipe fits on it.

[@RichoV2]

Thanks for sharing, I'm going to build this though I might use a solid piece of wood for the base if it's not too expensive, and maybe a pipe clamp instead of the PVC clamp if I can find one cheap enough. I don't have the patience to wait for glue to dry or the proper clamps to laminate the plywood like that. Good job and thanks again.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Not sure if you are going to find a solid piece of wood that large.

[@RichoV2]

Your comment just reminded me I have an old solid wood door that's been sitting in the hallway for 3 years.

[@Indy452]

Of all the cheap DIY bike repair stands, I like this one the best...or at least the "T" part. Seems to me if using the foam it will not leave scratches. I will say I'm going to use rivets on the hinges rather than screws/nuts. Thanks for the great idea.

[@va3hry]

Awesome and well done RJ. Looks like the perfect weekend project. Thanks.

[@earthboymedia]

best video on youtube, thank you

[@RyanWilson876]

Thank you. Alot. THIS is way better than buying a Park Tool.

[@martinberry1040]

Brilliant! Thanks RJ The Bike Guy. I was just thinking of getting a stand - I'll go down the plumbers merchants and see about the pipe. Great stuff!

[@danbailey8182]

Fantastic! This is exactly what I was looking for!

[@naturalstench]

Ten years late to comment, that is an awesome stand

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Interesting. This as-is would probably not be fun to haul around behind a bike. But it might be possible to make a light more portable version. Maybe smaller diamater iron pipe. Maybe add a coupling in the middle. But I am sure there are commercial stands that would be better suited to the task. This guy pretty much lives in my dining room (much to my wife's chagrin) where I work on bikes. :)

[@reecenewton3097]

You are a brave man, or she is a saint, or both!

[@SeanQuinn4]

After watching other videos for almost an hour, wanted to let you know you still seem to have the only diy stand with adjustable clamp angle 👌 just out here trying to bleed my rear brakes and all these diy videos just rely on saddle angle 🙄

[@mtbbikechannel]

Great DIY! Amazing built!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I thought the thicker pipes would be more solid. And needed the T part that clamps onto the bike to be that diameter.

[@ronyerke9250]

Nice stand. A key-type hose clamp might make it easier to adjust the clamp angle.

[@SLCHeroinBob]

I am wondering how hard you are able to wrench down on your bike or move it around while on that base. I know you dont push on a bike to much, but if you are torquing down crank arms or something you would need to push a bit. Thoughts? Great design!

[@GuillermoJast]

Awesome! Very clever!

[@Pektus]

nice DIY hope to see more amazing diy vidoes like this.

[@creatorTWin]

pretty sweet, one easy suggestion for a bit more strength would be to use a SCH 80 PVC Tee instead of the SCH 40 used in the video for a bit more strength on the T, Plus the inner diameter would be the same. I will have to build one of these since i work at a plumbing wholesale. thanks for the video and the great idea :)

[@fabriciotorres6634]

Well done! It's brilliant, it looks good as well! :)

[@staticdomo835]

Great job rj your idea helped me a lot and know that I made mine I don't have to spend like $100 or more on a bike stand tanks

[@jaycee2265]

nice thought, will give it a go this weekend. I don't like the bolt ends and nuts pointing in. Will try to use a counter-sunk heads going from inside to outside finished with acorn nuts.

[@jimsjacob]

Great! Now I see this... I bought a retail stand and it’s great, but this would have sufficed. Well done sir!

[@DavidFraser007]

I managed to get most of the stuff for making this when they were selling bike repair stands in our local supermarket for about 20 bucks, so I took the easy way out.

[@hossyossy]

It's Awesome. wonderful Job . I'm going to make one. thank you for sharing with us.

[@RobMacKendrick]

The clamp is genius. Same design/concept could be put to a whole range of uses.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

The foam won't leave scratches. The foam does wear out after a while. I just replace the foam piece on mine after a bunch of years.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

It's also called a straight loop draw latch or tool box latch.

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

Very clever & simple construction using easy to get parts. I think the same way.

[@decay2010]

Pretty sweet man!! I've been thinking about getting a stand for several months now... upside down repairs jsut aren't cutting it but I could justify spending $100+ either... this is my solution.

[@paparav13]

Great idea, I will start this project soon. Thanks!

[@sandplasma]

Awesome, I might give it a try.

[@benlren]

could probably use PVC for the whole thing! if you use schedule 40 and thick conduit (like 1 1/4" that you use for the T) would probably work great. great idea with the T. and how you made it the bracket to hold the bike. thanks for the share!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+benlrenzen10 Might not be stiff enough.

[@benlren]

it will definitely have a tad bit of "flex" to it in lieu of the fire sprinkler piping that you used. I am an electrician,and have access to "free" PVC conduit. when it's super long it flexes a lot, but a short piece of a good sized PVC, I think it could work. It's more rigid than one might think. we shall see! :)

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

If you have access to free stuff, maybe you can try nesting the, put pipe inside of pipe inside of pipe to stiffen them up. Not sure how tightly they would fit like that.

[@gracearmstrong990]

You SO SMART!!! Major thumbs UP!

[@Tiger74147]

To the point and still very informative, thanks!

[@christo930]

Would it have been cheaper to use PVC as the main pipe or even for all of the pipe? More importantly, do you think PVC would be strong enough to replace the cast iron pipe? I would imagine that PVC is much cheaper than cast iron, or is that wrong?

[@AdrianBroadnax]

Awesome job!

[@gvc1107]

Fantastic idea. Thank you for sharing!

[@TheFlavMan]

Very nice, thanks!!

[@TheGearhead222]

Nice job! I used a Harbor Freight clamp for mine, but your clamp is a bit more elegant:)-John in Texas

[@stush7]

Excellent Ingenuity RJ. your video is inspiring and helpful. thank you.

[@upsidediy3945]

Looks good . I actually figured out what a good bike wash stand, this would be.

[@cjimmersive6955]

cool design - I might do the same but turn the clamp about 90 degrees for the seat tube. I have cables running below the top tube and wouldn't want to clamp on those.

[@bassinbillRC5300]

I know what I am doing come my next pay check. Lowes.....here I come. thanks for much for the instructions and the video.

[@carlosdawn8581]

Thank you! it is well explained and will help me aLOT on my bike repairs. onces again, Thank you.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

PVC would be MUCH cheaper than the cast iron pipe, but it wouldn't be anywhere near as solid.

[@glenfenderman]

Cool! Nice simple design.

[@christophergreen5735]

Thanks, RJ: this is pretty much what I am looking for now that I have 2 bikes to work on. :-)

[@SorieKondi]

simple & effective Thumbs up man.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

It holds the bike up at a more convenient level while working on things like the derailleurs and cranks, etc. It allows you to have the wheel off the ground so you can spin the cranks while making adjustments to the derailleur. In general, it just makes it easier to work on the bike for many things.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Thanks! It gets a lot of use.

[@pattygq]

Dude you are a lifesaver. Thank you.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Glad to help

[@grabba73]

awesome, very crafty. Good job, you can a lot of projects.

[@fatfinger7436]

If the wood was painted black, I think it would look more professional, thanks for the idea👍

[@bteddybear]

I think your bolt idea is right on. I can't see rivets holding nearly as well. I'm thinking your base might not be that sturdy for working. How much can you wrench down? I'm thinking mason screw into a 12" by 12" patio block and then put it in a flat bottom storage container and using about 30 to 40 lbs of thin mixed concrete, enough to cover the original patio block. Seems it might make your plan a simple heavy duty work platform.

[@geraldward9765]

I can see where the clamp would get in the way of the cables. How do you work on brakes and gears using that clamp?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I didn't have too many problems most of the time.

[@RichoV2]

If you make a thinner clamp as well then you could clamp the bike around your seat post. This is probably what I'm going to do.

[@FlyingManProduction]

This is awesome! Very solid looking

[@jimheitzman]

Bought materials yesterday with the long 1 1/4" 48" being a $32 part. I have about $85 in this. I probably would've spent a few more dollars for a Bikehand or a knockoff.But this is going to be a bulletproof work stand.

[@raymondj7588]

For everyone who has a standard 3 ton floor jack with an upright pole all you need to do it stick a S type hook on to the top of the handle and then hang you bike off of it. If you don't have a S hook just get 2 J hooks and zip tie them together as needed. Strong, simple and very effective.

[@HockeyMan-kd7yj]

Very nice, good job. Gonna build me one of these!

[@redoak3809]

Does this allow you to clamp it to different size frames. Most of mine are older chromoly steel frames like a Trek 930, 750, etc. OR should I get a smaller T piece for those style frames? I wonder if pool noodles would also work well for the T liners...

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I used it on a variety of bikes.