Setting Up a Bicycle Repair Workshop.

You can set up a home bicycle workshop in a surprisingly small space. You will need enough room for a work stand with access to both sides of the bike and room for a workbench with a vice and a truing stand. You will also need tool storage and spare parts storage although much of this can be stored under the bench and many tools can be hung on wooden boards attached to the walls where they will be usefully to hand.

Although it is possible to repair bicycles without a work stand, many jobs become far easier if you can get the bicycle off of the floor so that both wheels can spin freely. Some jobs are virtually impossible if the bicycle has to remain on the floor, such as adjusting derailleur gears. If a work stand is not a possibility a bicycle can be hung from suitably positioned hooks on the ceiling.

A truing stand is not essential as truing can be achieved with the wheels in the bike using the brake blocks as guides. However a truing stand does make the job easier and allows you to work on wheels without needing the complete bicycle.

A workbench is usually made of wood. It is useful to have a thick steel plate somewhere on the bench for hammering work, although many vices are fitted with a flat area for this purpose.

The workbench surface will get damaged and may need replacing occasionally.

The vice will often be used to hold delicate parts. Soft jaws are an important accessory, although these can easily be home-made from wood. Soft jaws will be damaged if used for holding wheel spindles. Wood is more disposable so would serve well here if you don't have a purpose made spindle holder.

Other useful, but unessential tools which may be attached to your work-bench include a pillar drill and a bench grinder.