I have been using Feedback Sports and their predecessor’s bike stands for 25 years, and my oldest one is still puttering along, albeit a bit stiffer with age (like all of us). Initially, the company was called Ultimate Support Systems, and in addition to the bike stands, they also made professional speaker stands. The speaker and bike stand divisions split into separate companies, and in 2008 Feedback Sports acquired Ultimate Bike Support.
The Feedback Sports bike stands come in 5 versions, the Pro-Elite, the Ultralight, the Sport Mechanic, the roadie oriented Sprint, and the affordable Recreational 2.0. All except the Recreational model use the Feedback Sports foldable tripod leg system. The tripod system offers excellent stability on uneven ground, making it a great feature on road trips, bike races, etc. The Pro-Elite is their top-of-the-line bike stand, and its innovative clamping system sets it apart from its brethren. You can also purchase optional accessories for their stands, including a Truing Stand, Tool Tray, Handlebar Holder, and a Travel Bag.
Pro Elite Stand
The 12.6 lbs. stand is made from anodized aluminum and is comprised of 2 sections. The lower section contains the tripod legs, while the upper section has a 28-inch telescoping tube with an attached bike clamping head that can accommodate up to 2 5/8 inch tubes. The stand folds down to a compact 5 x 8 x 45 inches, and when erected, has a 54-inch footprint.
- Anodized red aluminum
- Weight 12.6 lbs. (5.7 kg)
- Clamp height 42” – 71” (107 – 180cm)
- Clamp opening accommodates tubes up to 2.6” (6.6cm)
- Base diameter 54” (137cm)
- Folded Size 5” x 8” x 45” (13 x 20 x 115cm)
- Load capacity 85 lbs. (39 kg)
- 3-year warranty
- MSRP $290
To erect the folding tripod, open the single lower quick release lever, push the legs down into position, and then lock the lever down.
For stability, I prefer having one leg pointing directly towards where you will be working. To close up the legs, open up the lever, tug the legs back up against the main tube body, and close the lever. You can also partially move the legs up to be stored without taking up as much floor space.
The tube locking lever is also very nicely shaped and very ergonomic. Those are the little touches that really add a lot of flavor and usability to Feedback Sports bike stands.
Clamp Arm
After the tripod platform is set up, you can swing clamping head upward. The Secure-Lock clamp is not only rugged, but it is one of the easiest and most functional clamps I have ever used.
On the backside of the clamp arm is a large knob, which you twirl to loosen or tighten, either adjust the clamping jaw angle or bring the head up or down. To bring the head up, twirl the knob until it stops, tilt the clamping arm up, rotate the jaws to the angle required, then twirl the knob until it locks down (give it a strong twist). To put the arm down, loosen the knob slightly, rotate the arm until the small slot faces down, twirl the knob until it stops, drop the head, and then twirl the knob until it locks. The clamping arm’s back end fits nicely into a strengthening slot that gives the clamp arm additional stability and strength.
To use the clamp, pop the release button to open the jaws, place the bike into the clamp jaws, push the clamp closed with its ratcheting action, and twirl the knob on the front of the clamp to lock it down. To take the bike back out, hit the release button, and the jaws pop fully open, and your done. Simple! No more struggling with a bike trying to get the clamp to function properly. To adjust the jaws’ angle, loosen the back knob of the clamp head, change the angle, and re-tighten. It is delightful to pop the release button to take the bike off the stand.
The clamp arm’s height is easy to adjust; use the single upper quick release lever located at waist height, and raise or lower the clamp as needed. The legs give a nice stable platform, but the upright tubes have a slight flex to them. When the clamp arm is elevated, the smaller diameter upper tube also adds even more flex to the system, it is noticeable, but it is not overtly so. The clamp head strengthening slot does help some and makes it work better than its brethren.
My around 25-year-old Ultimate stand is still going strong, showing excellent durability and build quality of their design.
Tool Tray
The Tool Tray is a nice optional item and well worth the additional cost. It has several slots for tools and several large compartments, one for a beverage (caffeine, alcohol, or water), and the largest has a drain hole with a stopper so you could use it to clean parts. It clamps on easily, so for portability, it can easily be installed or removed. You slip a small clasp onto the lower leg, and then the main tool tray slip onto it and the locks down, but it can still be rotated as needed. Having a tool tray is very handy. I always need a place to put parts (tiny ones) as I am working on a bike, and it is nice to have spots for tools instead of just dropping them on the ground or putting them in your pocket. Where did I put that bolt?
- Black plastic
- Dimensions 2.75” x 10” x 14.5” (7cm x 25cm x 37cm )
- Weight 2 lbs. (.9 kg)
- MSRP: $35
Travel Bag
The optional Travel Bag to carry the folded stand is not only beefy but is nicely padded to protect your investment from getting banged. I had a travel bag for my previous stand, and I highly recommend one. I have a truck, so I am always pitching it into the back of the bed, and things get dropped on it, and the tote bag keeps it safe and secure, plus it gets a lot less dirty.
- Black padded nylon
- Weight 8.5 oz. (.24 kg)
- 1-year warranty
- MSRP: $34
Flop Stop
Another nice optional item is the Flop Stop Handlebar Holder. It locks the handlebar to keep the front end from moving around while working on the bike. You clamp one end to your seatpost with its rubber band, loosen the extension arm, extend the arm to the handlebar, clamp it to the handlebar, and then lock the extending arm.
MSRP $25
Truing Stand
The Truing Stand comprises 2 pieces, a weighted 6.2 lbs. base used on a table or workbench and a truing arm, which attaches to either the base or on top of Feedback Sports bike stands. The truing base has a set of slots and compartments to hold spoke wrenches, nipples, spokes, and tools. The truing arm is made from anodized aluminum, is 18 inches long, and has 2 indicators that can move in multiple directions, and the arm is long enough to accommodate 29-inch wheels.
The truing arm is a unique single-sided design that allows complete access to the wheel while truing or building. The arm’s bottom attaches to the base or stand and can be tilted as needed and then tightened down with a small knob. Both indicators slide up and down on the arm and then have a roller that allows finer adjustments to where the indicator pins can be positioned. The upper indicator is for lateral truing (side-to-side wobble) for both a wheel and a brake rotor, while the lower indicator is for radial truing (up and down wobble). It is effortless to make minor adjustments to either of the indicators using the roller indexes. Dishing is simplified with the single-sided design since the wheel can just be flipped over to check the dish, so an additional dishing tool is not required.
Since the base is weighted, it does not need to be attached anywhere, which allows the truing station to be moved to any location required.
To check the true of a brake rotor, flip your wheel so that the rotor faces the truing stand arm, roll the upper indicator pin almost fully in towards the arm, slide the indicator up to the rotor braking area, and then roll the indicator pin towards the rotor, voila, you can check the rotors true.
NOTE: I haven’t tested it, but they have recently upgraded to a new Pro Tuning Stand 2.0, which has Thru-Axle Adapters (10mm, 12mm, 15mm, and 20mm) and can accommodate 157mm wide hubs.
Pro Tuning Stand 2.0
- Red anodized aluminum
- 3-year warranty
- MSRP: $135
Bottom Line
The Feedback Sports Pro Elite bike stand isn’t the cheapest on the market, but its durability, portability, functionality, features, and usability make it well worth the cost. I can vouch for the companies’ longevity since my Pro Elite is over a decade old and is doing quite well. The Secure-Lock clamp system is one of the best systems on the market and is simply a joy to use. The foldable system makes it easy to break down and put up the stand, and the tripod design had great stability on uneven ground. There is just a hint of flex from the upright tubes and more so when the upper tube is extended, but it’s not much to complain about in a near-perfect product.
The Travel Bag is a great item if you travel, while the Tool Tray is just plain handy for holding all the typical items you use for bike repairs. If you like to true your own wheels or even like to check if the disc rotor is true, then the optional Truing Station is a nice item, and it installs on top of the stand for more usability. I also liked the optional Flop Stop handlebar holder to secure the front steering during repairs.
Strengths
- Secure Lock clamp head with quick-release button
- Portability
- Stability
- Longevity
- Reliability
- Optional accessories
Weaknesses
- Expensive
- Flexy upright tubes
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