Topeak FlashStand Portable Bike Stand – Compact Foldable Tune-Up & Display Stand for 26” and 700C Wheels, Aluminum & Polymer Construction, Lightweight Travel Design with Carry Bag

If you don't have the space or resources for a large bicycle repair stand, this little fella will come handy for works on the rear side of your bike. A bit delicate at first to hold it still, but once the bike is secure it is solid enough.

I live in an apartment and I wanted something to support the bike while I work on the back wheel. This stand seemed like the perfect solution; it was cheaper and smaller than a full size stand. The biggest problem I have had is that the kickstand mount on my bike does not let the bike rest squarely on the bottom bracket. It pushes it slightly to the side. Not that noticeable until I turned the pedal and found that the other side of the stand is up against the chain ring. The stand was susceptible to tipping over, several times I bumped the bike and had to grab it before it crashed to the floor, but that was to be expected given its small footprint (and the off center alignment from the kickstand didn't help). It does hold the bike up when I have to take the rear wheel off. I can turn the pedals if I put the stand on the bottom bracket crooked, and support the bike with my other hand, which was easier than holding the bike up with one hand while I turned the pedal with the other.

While this stand doesn't provide the stability of a traditional bicycle work stand, the Topeak Flash Stand offers a nice balance of compactness and utility. For apartment dwellers where space is precious, it is an excellent stability aid for many bike repairs where the front wheel is intact such as derailleur adjustments. It is not suitable for major front work such as fork replacements because the bipod stand requires the front wheel to be resting on the ground. Most conventional bicycle work stands are designed to clamp on the seat tube. This arrangement allows for work on virtually any part of the bike. This stand uses a hook to capture of the down tube while providing support for the bottom bracket. It doesn't completely stabilize the bicycle, requiring that that one wheel balances half the bicycle while the bipod Flash Stand balances the other half. This arrangement prevents work on the fork or the front wheel. Moreover, the stand is quite unstable if it is resting on a soft surface and the feet can't dig into a solid layer. One such surface that is a problematic is a protective towel over carpeting. I haven't tested it on uneven ground, but probably wouldn't be very stable. Considering the size and portability, the design is solid. However, stability would be improved if the feet were farther away from vertical (i.e. more acute angle to the ground). Also, a significantly larger and heavier design would increase stability but, of course, reduce portability. At 1/6th the cost of home work stands or 1/20th the cost of a shop work stand, this product is a good value, especially at Amazon prices (28 dollars in July 2011). Despite the limitations compared to larger stands the Flash Stand is an excellent product for those home mechanics that are cash and space constrained. Pro Compact Inexpensive Cons Should have feet at steeper angle Could be larger for additional stability Doesn't allow for front fork repairs

Fast shipment, easy to assemble, sturdy for minor maintenance, and excellent stable mobile kick stand (must be leveled surface). Comes with clear instruction and storage bag. No major issues very pleased with product.

This product is supposed to be a fold-up bicycle stand. It's a known design: a hook wraps around the bicycle's down tube (from the handlebars to the tube that holds the pedal mechanism), a platform sits under the cross tube holding the pedals, and two legs lift the rear of the bicycle off the ground. I've seen other stands like this that *don't* fold, and they work well. The problem with this stand is that you can't lock any of the folding parts after you unfold them! The parts then flop about as you're trying to lift the bike up on the stand. The support legs are particularly troublesome, because they tend to fold up when you're trying to put the bike on top of them! If there's a trick to using the stand, it's not obvious and not mentioned anywhere in the instructions. I threw the device aside for the moment. Having the fold-up feature wasn't critical, so I bought something that was easier to use and worked.

This is great for traveling so we don't have to lean our bikes against walls or furniture in hotel rooms. We liked the first one so much that we got a second. We use it on my tri-cross bike all the time at home too. It's light weight and folds down compactly. It even comes with it's own little carry bag. It's another great product from Topeak.

This will not fit all bikes. It doesn't work with my 2016 Trek Domane 4.3. Also, the Stages power meter sensor hits the stand. Works nicely with my vintage Cannondale SR500. Needs a redesign.

Obviously this is no replacement for a full mechanics stand but for basic cleaning and adjusting of your bike it works really well. My bikes has a 3rd water bottle and cables routed under the bottom bracket, I was afraid there would be interference but no problem. It folds up small. For the cost and weight it is great.