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My old way of setting up a new workstand was a total pain

For years, I'd just clamp a bike in my stand and start wrenching, but I'd always be fighting it to stay put. About six months ago, I watched a mechanic in our Chicago shop spend a full minute adjusting the clamp height and arm angle before even touching a tool. I tried it on the next three bikes, and it cut my average brake bleed time by almost five minutes because the bike wasn't wobbling. Now I always take that extra moment to get the frame perfectly level and the clamp just right on the seatpost. Has anyone else found a small prep step that saves a bunch of time later?
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3 Comments
hayden_ramirez
What about marking the perfect clamp spot on your own seatpost?
3
hollywhite
hollywhite25d ago
Yeah, that's a solid move. I use a tiny strip of electrical tape right on the post. It gives you a visual line to match up with the frame's seat clamp, so you get the exact same height every time after a clean or a bike bag trip. The tape is thin enough it doesn't mess with the clamp force at all. Just make sure you clean the post with rubbing alcohol first so the tape actually sticks. Saves a ton of fiddling around trying to find your spot by feel.
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shane_clark
My Park Tool stand has a little notch I line up with the seat tube collar.
2