We all do it. You go to an event and even when you have your folding work-stand, it rarely gets pulled out unless you have to do some extensive work on the bike. So we creatively lean our prized possessions on anything within eye-shot hoping it won’t fall on our – or our neighbor’s vehicle. We all want quick and convenient bike storage – even pro-mechanics and that is exactly who began the concept for the TrackStand.
Check it out along with a couple of other stand-up solutions from Od-Designs…
The TrackStand came about as the request of legendary cycling racer & mechanic, Sandy Gilchrist who in the past has earned several of his own British and Scottish national championship titles and currently wrenches for the Specialized Factory and Irish National Cycling Track Teams. Having been around the block more than 99% than anyone that has ever held a wrench, when Sandy asks for something, you listen.
Though pro mechanics spend a lot of time working on bikes, one of the most cumbersome & time consuming parts of their job is unpacking and packing back up every single day. Sandy wanted something sturdy, light and most importantly – portable. The TrackStand appears to be just that. Weighing in at just over 700g, the TrackStand folds and un-folds in mere seconds and is easily stored in about any small space. It also fits anything from a kid’s bike to a full-tilt downhill rig. The TrackStand raises the rear wheel off the ground allowing for simple repairs and adjustments. If you need to display or just have a lot of bikes on hand, you can also connect multiple TrackStands together. The folks at Od-Design who already have quite a bit of experience holding bikes up at events launched a Kickstarter to put this already well tested product into the general public’s hands. Starting at only £27 (approx $39 USD), could they have broken the “Strong Light & Cheap…pick two” mantra?
For something a little different that performs a similar task, their £34.95 OdPod simply cradles your bike. Depending on the terrain, the 3-point footing might be a little more stable since it will be less likely to rock on uneven ground.
Lastly, for team events where you are going to have more than a couple of bikes around your tent, the £185.00 PackRack (left), and the £170.00 FastRack, (right… yes, the longer one is less since it has folding legs to make it more compact), hold 4 & up to 8 bikes respectively. The design is simple and portable and will have you and your buddies at the next 24-hour event looking pro.
Both racks fold up and will store in the nooks and crannies of just about anyone’s over-packed vehicle. Needless to say, any of these solutions offer a nice alternative to leaning a bunch of bikes everywhere and are simple enough so that they may actually get used.
