Polisport Folding Bike Stand
Whether they're constructed from metal or plastic, and are tall or small, we all have bike stands. Aluminum stands are sturdy, but take up a bit of space. The size of your stand may not be a big deal if you're going for a solo ride in your pickup, but if you're hauling a few bikes, then every bit of space becomes important. If you're like me and need the extra space, a folding stand could be quite helpful, like this one from Polisport we've been using recently.
Polisport Fold Up Bike Stand Features:
- Supports up to 550 pounds.
- Crafted through injection-molded rubber and polypropylene.
- Weighs just over nine pounds.
- Removable side panels.
- Available in eight color options.
- MSRP $99.99.
First Impressions
Polisport's folding stand arrives as you might expect, all folded up. When folded flat, the stand is roughly four inches thick and features a nice rounded handle at the top (coming out of the center of the stand top) to carry it with. Unfolding the stand is quite simple, as you just spread the the frame a bit, then press down on the top of the stand until it completely unfolds and clicks into place.
Once expanded, the stand spreads its weight by contacting the ground in six places. Obviously, the four corners of the stand hold the weight but it also touches the ground in the center of the holding joints, giving it a bit of extra stability. The rest of the construction is fairly simple. The top features rubber ridges to hold the bike in place, and the side panels can be removed if needed.
At the Track/ In the Shop
I found Polisport's Folding Bike Stand to be useful whether I was at the track or in my garage. While in the shop, I could have a few stacked in the corner without taking up too much space. The actual stand is very practical and set at a good height, not too short but just tall enough that even the awkward-sitting Honda will have both wheels off the ground. Also, the rubber ridges offer great traction and are tall enough that they leave a bit of a channel for oils, fuel, etc to settle in and not affect the grip of the rubber.
Heading to the track is where this stand really shines, especially when you have a full truck or van. While a folding stand may seem gimmicky, it's quite nice to have that extra room when necessary.
Long-Term Durability
In the past, I haven't had the greatest luck with plastic stands. Because of my smaller size, I typically swing the bike onto the stand with a bit of momentum, which has led to some cracking or failure of stands. Because of this, I took it pretty easy on the Polisport stand for the first few weeks, but all seemed to be good. Once I started to treat it as I normally would, I noticed a little bit of flex when the bike slammed onto the stand. But after three months, the stand is still intact and hasn't cracked.
The only thing I've found to be an issue is the fact that a bit of dirt can bind up the hinges, so I take care to pressure wash the stand and occasionally use some WD-40 to keep the hinges freed up.
The Last Word
As I mentioned before, I viewed the Polisport Fold Up Bike Stand as a bit of a gimmick when I first received it, but have really grown to like it during my time using it. Overall, I can only find one deterrent from buying this stand, which is the lack of a tool tray that's common on other brands. For me, though, the Polisport is a traveling stand and the tray would just be in the way, so I don't find it as a major negative.
Vital MX Rating
For more information on Polisport's extensive plastic product lineup, check out Polisport.com.
About the Test Rider
Michael Lindsay- is a born-and-raised moto freak and gearhead from the heart of motocross in Southern California. First swinging a leg over a bike at the age of five, he immediately caught the racing bug, spending nearly every weekend behind a gate…and a lot of time on the couch while injured. While swinging back and forth between moto and the off-road scene, giving him a wide range of experience on the bike. Of course, all of this led to one thing: Lindsay loves working on his bikes almost as much as he loves talking about them. When he’s not in the Vital MX forum or writing his latest product review, you can find him out at the track taking dirt naps, snapping some pictures, or drooling over the latest parts for his bike. With an outspoken personality, gearhead background, and as Vital MX’s guru for product, Michael is here to share his unbiased opinion.
Review and Photos by Michael Lindsay
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