A workstand for my gravel bike
I’ve bought a stand for my gravel bike: the PCS-9.2 by Park Tool. This allows me to stabilise my bike for cleaning, repairing and maintenance work.
I'm in my garden and I'm annoyed. After biking through the forest, over muddy paths and through murky puddles, I'm back home. I want to clean my bike, but I don't have a stand to attach it to. So I lean it against the wall of the house and spray it down with the garden hose. The problem? My wall used to be white, now it's black. After my next spin, I place my bike against the steps in my garden and hose it down. The problem? It's so unstable that I have to hold on to it with one hand, leaving me soaking wet. So that's not a solution either.
I need a workstand for my bike
I recently started using a bike trainer by Elite for my cardio workout. With this direct-drive trainer, the rear wheel is removed and the chain is mounted directly onto the cassette that's installed on the bike trainer. This means, whenever I want to do indoor cycling, I dismount the back wheel and when I want to use my bike outside again, I put it back on. On top of this, I’ve just bought combination pedals by Shimano, which I want to mount, and something's wrong with the front derailleur since my last ride. I need to take a look at that, too. As you see, I absolutely need a workstand. I want one that's easy to set up and stores away small. That's why I go for the PCS-9.2 by Park Tool.
This workstand is quickly assembled. Tighten a few screws with the supplied tool and you’re done. Check out the video to see everything else:
What I don't have yet is the tool tray, which is compatible with the PCS-9.2 with a separately available adapter. I'm also still missing a few tools. I don't know yet whether I'll buy the expensive Park Tool case. I'm sure there's a cheaper solution. Or maybe someone, and by someone I mean my wife, will give it to me for my birthday. Let’s wait and see.
First impressions
The American company Park Tool has been producing bicycle tools and equipment for professionals and budding home bike mechanics like me for almost 60 years. The PCS-9.2 is my first workstand. So I don't have many comparison options. In fact, none at all. From that point of view, every step away from the house wall or the garden steps is progress.
And that's exactly what it is for me: progress. I mount my gravel bike, which weighs a good ten kilos, onto the stand and off I go. Once I'm done cleaning my bike, it looks spotless and I'm reasonably dry. I'm getting rather good at changing the rear wheel and I've also mounted the Shimano pedals. The stand does its job, is stable and holds my bike either on the top tube of the frame or the seat post without scratching it. The only thing that's bothering me is the cable on the front derailleur, which is a pain in the neck. I have no idea where to put it. But I'll figure that out too.
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
