Feedback Sports Sprint Review

As one of only two axle/bottom bracket mount work stands in the test, the Feedback Sports Sprint and ToPeak Prepstand X are in a class of their own in this test. While this style of work stand is popular among certain groups in cycling, most notably people with very expensive or oddly shaped carbon frames, they are far less convenient and versatile than the seat post/top tube mount competition. It is somewhat difficult to compare the two styles of work stands directly, but from the information we gathered during a previous test, we know that the Sprint and Prepstand X are two of the best axle mount stands on the market.

Performance Comparison

Ease of Setup

Except for the 12mm tube and quick release axle, this stand arrived fully assembled. The tripod legs fold out smoothly and easily, as does the height adjustment, both of which are controlled by durable aluminum quick-release levers. Setting the horizontal beam on the screw and locking it into place is a breeze. In our setup time trials, we found it to take just under 30 seconds to get this stand ready for use.

Stability

The Sprint's 23" tripod support legs are capped with rubber feet, providing a great base of support. Quick-release collars lock both the legs and the telescoping height adjustment securely into place, and the black nylon bushings between tubes provide smooth sliding while also creating a tight interface to ensure wobble-free wrenching. The horizontal top beam is secured in place after aligning the slot on the underside with a screw, and a quick-release lever pulls the screw head firmly onto the slot, securing the beam in its locked position. The rubber padded bottom bracket cradle supports the bike nicely, and depending on the repair or maintenance, this model can be adjusted so that the rear tire sits on the end of the stand, providing additional stability. Typically, the external bottom bracket shell was enough of a barrier to prevent the bike from slipping off the cradle.

Clamp

Bikes mount in the Sprint by removing either the front or rear wheel and securing the dropouts on a quick-release axle attachment that slides along the beam. The bike itself rests on its bottom bracket on a rubber-coated cradle. For fork mounting, a plastic wingnut allows you to loosen the axle mount slider to center it beneath the fork. The quick-release axle is 9mm, which is one of many standards for modern road bikes and mountain bikes. For bikes with 15mm thru-axles, the 9mm axle is removed as well as a red 15mm bushing that sits inside the centermost silver adapter (the internal diameter of the silver portion is now ready to accept the 15mm thru-axle). If you've got a bike with a 20mm thru-axle, you'll need to purchase an adapter at an additional cost. Included with the stand is a red 12mm tube for mounting frames with the new 142x12 rear axle "standard." It is important to consider the sizes of the various front and rear axles on your bikes, as "standards" have been changing quite regularly in recent years on both road and mountain bike frames.

Mounting via the rear axle is done similarly. The front wheel remains attached, and the user positions the bottom bracket on the rubber-coated cradle. Depending on why you're mounting from the rear, you can finagle the chain so that it passes over the spacers or thread the quick release through the derailleur. Passing the chain over the spacers will allow the pedals to rotate and the drivetrain to run similarly to how it would with the wheel attached. However, drivetrain repair is best done with the bike mounted from the front axle so that the chain still passes around the cassette. A clutch-style rear derailleur will make rear axle mounting a bit easier as the tension can be taken off the rear derailleur. The three 'standard' sizes of 130mm, 135mm, and 142mm for disc-brake equipped bikes are accepted.

Yes, we know that's a little confusing. The rate of change in bike design, especially lately, is staggering, which is why we put the word "standard" in quotations. As an aspiring home bike mechanic, you're going to find out that bikes are highly specialized machines and that work stands aren't the only bike specific thing you'll need to work on your rig. Beyond a screwdriver and metric Allen wrenches, virtually no tool you need to work on your bike can be purchased at a hardware store. Every year a new "standard" size of something comes out, leaving you to question whether the bike industry knows the definition of that word. Just know that the folks at Feedback are dedicated to keeping pace with all these new standards, making sure your bike stand purchase today won't become obsolete tomorrow — it might just require the purchase of yet another adapter.

Angle Adjustment

The angle of the beam upon which the bike rests is fixed in a horizontal position. When mounted at the rear axle, the bike will always have a slight upward angle, typically causing the handlebars to flop to one side or the other. This can be a little troublesome and annoying for some repairs, and a Flopstopper handlebar holder is available for purchase to alleviate this problem. A definite advantage of this type of stand is the ability to freely spin the stand a full 360 degrees, providing access to both sides of the bike without having to move; this model uses a free collar to achieve this. The free collar slides on top of the telescoping clamp that is used to adjust the height of the stand and locked in place. Releasing the telescoping clamp, the stand stays at the desired height by the free collar, but is now allowed to spin.

Height Adjustment

The height of this stand is adjustable between 30 and 48 inches above the floor. This allows for a comfortable working level on drivetrains for people of all heights. Similarly, the ability to drop the stand to its lowest height also makes cockpit adjustments comfortable. The height adjustment is controlled by a quick-release lever that allows the upper tube to slide out of the lower tube to the desired height. This adjustment was smooth and easy and can be performed with a bike in the stand, assuming you use extra caution and support the weight of the bike in the process.

Portability

Weighing in at only 12.6 lbs with a collapsed size of 30.5 inches, the Sprint isn't the lightest, but it collapses down to the smallest of all the stands we tested. We've even heard reports of this stand being accepted as carry on luggage. It is extremely portable and great for storage or travel.

Everyday Maintenance

Axle/bottom bracket mounting stands were not our go-to choice for our everyday pre- and post-ride maintenance rituals. This model requires that you remove the front or rear tire, while most people tend to store their bikes whole. If we just want to click through our gears and lube the chain, taking off a wheel is an unnecessary step. Wheel removal aside, Feedback makes mounting a variety of bikes about as simple as it can get for this style of stand. It's light at 12.6 pounds and packs down to the smallest height we tested. Depending on the repair, the ability to spin this stand may make up for the time you don't have to spend unclamping and reclamping the bike to work on the other side. If your bike has a kickstand or bolt-on wheels, we suggest you look elsewhere. From a convenience and versatility standpoint, the Sprint loses ground significantly to the seat post/top tube clamping stands and is, therefore, less ideal for everyday maintenance tasks.

Value

The Feedback Sports Sprint doesn't come cheap, and if you require the 20mm thru-axle adapter, you're going to set yourself back another $16 right off the bat. The construction and stability of this stand are confidence-inspiring, so for the right consumer, we feel the Sprint is a good investment. If you're looking for this type of stand, your money will be well spent here. As you know, there's nothing cheap about road biking, and quality products are going to cost you in this sport.

Conclusion

For a small package, this stand is big on performance. The material is high quality anodized red aluminum, there are a good variety of mounting options, and there is a notable lack of loose parts and adapters. The stand is quick to deploy and has a small footprint compared to larger top tube clamping stands; you could easily use this stand in a hotel room. High level or competitive road and mountain bike racers alike will enjoy this stand, as it eliminates damage potential to expensive or oddly shaped frames or fragile tubing.

Other Versions and Accessories