Safety alert - workstand

[Fastpedaller]

Hope it's ok to include this here (rather than the specific workstand thread) as it is likely to get 'more hits' and is safety-related.
Yesterday, I could have been 'wearing' my Brompton when the stand it was connected to unexpectedly failed.
It's a Lidl one (generic cheap, and the same as many other budget ones). I've had it a few years. The clamp which hold the bike frame, and is attached to the horizontal tube parted company with the tube and I was fortunate enough to react quickly and catch the bike. No damage done, but it could have been nasty personal injury, aside from any bike damage.
I took a video showing the problem, but due to the file size I was unable to attach it, so I've attached a couple of stills from the video. I've also shown how to easily avoid the possibility of a repeat!
Photo1 shows the stand tube the clamp attaches to. Photo2 shows the clamp in position. It is possible over time (and moving the bike in the stand) for the clamp to migrate towards the end of the tube, resulting in the near-miss I experienced - Unless specifically being aware and regularly checking. It appears the clamp has been changed by the manufacturers, as there are clear marks where holes were previously present (see photo3) and this makes it easy to effect a solution. Using the marks as guidance, it's an easy job to drill through the plastic and fit a suitable m8 bolt and nut to prevent an accident (see photo4)

 

[gizmo1994]

Thank you. I have just checked both my Lidl stands. One is a fairly recent one and I only have it because it was reduced to 10€ at the time. They both feature the bolt you have had to add.
It seems an odd design choice to remove it.
Incidentally, the Lidl stands now only play a secondary role as somebody locally was selling a Park Tools PC-10 ridiculously cheap at the end of last year. That thing is superb.

 

[wonderloaf]

Thank you. I have just checked both my Lidl stands. One is a fairly recent one and I only have it because it was reduced to 10€ at the time. They both feature the bolt you have had to add.
It seems an odd design choice to remove it.
Incidentally, the Lidl stands now only play a secondary role as somebody locally was selling a Park Tools PC-10 ridiculously cheap at the end of last year. That thing is superb.

Same here although mine is an Aldi stand, but the clamp is the same.

 

[Fastpedaller]

Same here although mine is an Aldi stand, but the clamp is the same.

With the safety bolt?

 

[wonderloaf]

With the safety bolt?

Yep.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Hope it's ok to include this here (rather than the specific workstand thread) as it is likely to get 'more hits' and is safety-related.
Yesterday, I could have been 'wearing' my Brompton when the stand it was connected to unexpectedly failed.
It's a Lidl one (generic cheap, and the same as many other budget ones). I've had it a few years. The clamp which hold the bike frame, and is attached to the horizontal tube parted company with the tube and I was fortunate enough to react quickly and catch the bike. No damage done, but it could have been nasty personal injury, aside from any bike damage.
I took a video showing the problem, but due to the file size I was unable to attach it, so I've attached a couple of stills from the video. I've also shown how to easily avoid the possibility of a repeat!
Photo1 shows the stand tube the clamp attaches to. Photo2 shows the clamp in position. It is possible over time (and moving the bike in the stand) for the clamp to migrate towards the end of the tube, resulting in the near-miss I experienced - Unless specifically being aware and regularly checking. It appears the clamp has been changed by the manufacturers, as there are clear marks where holes were previously present (see photo3) and this makes it easy to effect a solution. Using the marks as guidance, it's an easy job to drill through the plastic and fit a suitable m8 bolt and nut to prevent an accident (see photo4)

I'll have to take some pictures of mine to share, same thing happened. It was hanging by a finger nail when I noticed, bike was quite high as well so it would have definitely broken if it dropped.

I haven't drilled extra holes though to hold it, will have to investigate.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Mine did the same not long after I purchased it.
To be honest, I was expecting it, so I was keeping an eye.
The bike I used it with was very heavy.
I fixed it with another fastening, will take a picture tomorrow ... if I remember lol
This was quite a few years ago, the stand is still working with the heavy bike on it, just need to watch it doesn't tipple over

 

[oxoman]

Mine let go mid fettling the gears few wks ago. Wasn't so lucky catching it though, ended up with a bruise and mardy plaster. TBH its had a hard life and must be around 10yrs old. Quick fix though. Making myself a wall mounted one at work so I can alter the angles etc and make it solid.