| One of the toughest parts of mountain biking is not | | | | Look for a mountain bike stand that has a single |
| necessarily the trail on which it is ridden or the style | | | | lever quick release mechanism to hold the bike |
| the rider chooses. Keeping the bike in superior | | | | upright. Gone are the days when a bike was turned |
| condition and repair is essential to the success of any | | | | upside down to make repairs. With the grip working |
| style of mountain biking. Kick-stands are out of the | | | | similar to vice grip pliers they should be easily |
| question for repair work and finding the right | | | | adjustable to the size of the crossbar and be able to |
| mountain bike stand with which to hold the bike for | | | | support the weight of the bike. The grip should also |
| work, should be something every cyclist needs to do. | | | | have a single, quick release mechanism to make |
| Finding the right mountain bike stand may take some | | | | removing the bike easy, no matter how much it |
| time, but there a few things to look for when | | | | weighs. Ideally, the mountain bike stand will be |
| considering a purchase. Obviously, price will be a | | | | adjustable up and down to make working on the bike |
| major concern, but spending hundreds, and possibly | | | | more convenient and comfortable. The adjustment |
| thousands of dollars on a quality mountain bike, | | | | should be easy with a single release on a telescoping |
| anything left over in the budget should be applied to | | | | pole to make moving the bike up and down easy for |
| a quality stand. A mountain bike stand should be | | | | one person to accomplish. The rider should not have |
| freestanding, meaning it can stand on its own, under | | | | to struggle or ask for help to get the bike to a level |
| the weight of the bike when attached, without fear | | | | at which work can be performed. While many |
| it will fall over, regardless of the terrain on which it is | | | | mountain bike stand prices are under $100, a quality |
| used. Many riders carry a foldable mountain bike | | | | stand can cost over $300 and depending on the |
| stand with them for competition and when needed it | | | | amount of work a person will do on their bike, the |
| can be quickly set up beside the car and used to | | | | higher priced, better quality mountain bike stand may |
| effect repairs. The stands with a tripod stand are the | | | | be a better bargain in the long run. |
| most useful at remaining upright on tough ground. | | | | |