At the races or in the garage, the Park PRS-5 is a winner.
Written: Mar 05 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Very adjustable, quality construction, easily folds for transportation, jaws lock tight and don't slip.
Cons: Expensive at $250, is a little light if your bike is on the heavy side.
The Bottom Line: For home repairs and maintenance, the PRS-5 is a winner. It's on the expensive side of home repair-stands, but Park's reliability means you'll use it for many years to come.
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| openroad's Full Review: Park Tool PRS-5 Race Stand |
-----Description -----
If you patronize any of your local bike shops and wander back to the workshop, you’ll see a variety of work-stands and/or bike stands with bikes gripped securely in their jaws. For maintenance, parts upgrades, or even everyday cleaning, a bike stand will really help make your work easier.
Park Tool sells a large variety of bike stands for every need, from professional $400 heavy-duty stands to low-end consumer models retailing for only $99. Somewhere in the middle is the PRS-5 Race Stand, which is marketed to racers and enthusiasts that want a portable stand for weekend adventures and trailhead repairs. The big difference between the PRS-5 and other stands is its compactness and portability. In less than a minute you can fold the legs, collapse the center tube, and remove the jaws for storage. Park includes a durable nylon bag with two heavy-duty carry handles that makes transporting the PRS-5 a no-hassle job. The aluminum tubing is powder coated for durability and corrosion resistance, and the fittings are made of composite plastic.
----- My Comments -----
I received this stand as a gift, and didn’t realize how useful a bike stand could be until I owned my PRS-5. I must admit, I work on my bikes a lot more than the average cycling enthusiast, but even a recreational biker can benefit from one of Park’s entry-level stands. The PRS-5 has the advantage of portability, but it also has the professional jaw and clamping mechanism from Park’s pro-level stands. The jaw is oversized for a better grip with less pressure on the frame tube, and has a large rubber pad that prevents paint scuffing and damage. The jaw opening is adjustable for frame tubes up to 1 5/8". Unlike cheaper stands the PRS-5 allows you to rotate the bike a full 360 degrees and securely lock it at any angle using the exclusive Park Tool tapered locking system, which gives you easy access to any part of the bike you need to work on. If you need to work on the rear derailleur, just loosen the locking arm and pivot the bike until the rear wheel is at eye level.
Speaking of adjustments, simple clamps and large locking handles are present at all adjustment points, which bodes well for the reliability of the PRS-5. The vertical riser tube is height adjustable from 40” tall to 60” tall for various sized bikes and types of repairs. If you’re working on uneven ground the PRS-5 is still quite stable, thanks in part to its wide stance and long legs. The included heavy-duty carry bag is very useful and makes transporting the PRS-5 a no-hassle affair. The PRS-5 folds down to a compact 40" x 7" x 7", and at only 17lbs anyone can carry this stand around.
If you’re looking at a work stand for your growing biking hobby or just want a place to easily lube your chain and do other periodic maintenance, any of Park’s work stands will fit the bill. The advantage of the PRS-5 is it’s portability and light weight, which is only useful for weekend racers and trailhead adjustments. Most of the factory support tents at mountain bike races use this exact stand, and it’s for a reason. Park hit the mark with the PRS-5, and it’s the best quality unit out there if you’re looking for portability and quality in a compact package.
Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!
Openroad
Recommended:
Yes
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