Recommend good value truing stand

[ExBrit]

I'm thinking about buying a truing stand as I seem to be spending quite a lot of money at the local bike shop on this lately. The Parks stand is way too expensive for my truing needs but most of the non-Parks brands don't review well. Something that can be bought on Amazon for about $100 and isn't a complete pile of junk would be ideal.

Any recommendations?
Thanks

 

[Big John]

I've got the Park one so that's all I'm familiar with but there'll be loads of recommendations shortly I'm sure. How much is the Park one in the US? They cost a mint over here but they're good and easy to use. I build wheels so it gets some use but it's still as good as when I first bought it donkeys years ago.

 

[presta]

I built mine for nothing, very good value indeed.

If your wheels won't last until the rim's worn out without re-truing, I think you either need a better wheel builder or wheels that are better suited to the use.

 

[ExBrit]

I built mine for nothing, very good value indeed.

If your wheels won't last until the rim's worn out without re-truing, I think you either need a better wheel builder or wheels that are better suited to the use.

I would agree, most of my wheels are built by master wheel builders and go 20,000 miles between truing. The main problem is that I bought an e-bike conversion for my touring bike and that wheel has been trued twice in the last year. My LBS says this is a common problem because of the hub motor. I'm very particular about keeping my wheels true so hence the question.

 

[FrankCrank]

Homemade option has served me well

 

[Pedropete]

Roger Musson's 'Wheelpro' e-book is great and includes plans for making your own truing stand, dishing gauge and other tools. If you need shinier stuff then a used Park stand is generally a good bet, as are the Cyclus and Unior stands. Feedback's single-sided stand is a nice lightweight option and I use one for events and corporate work. For workshop use I've the Park Tool TS-4.2 which is expensive but rock solid, easy to calibrate and can accommodate any wheel I need to work on. Just don't ever trust a double-sided stand for final centring; flip the wheel to check and/or use a gauge as even a calibrated stand can be off by enough to Ronnie Reagan your wheel.

 

[the snail]

Turn the bike up side down and use the brakes, or put a couple of zip-ties round the frame tubes and use those. If you're having problems with shop-bought wheels, stress-relieve them and re-true.

 

[presta]

Turn the bike up side down and use the brakes, or put a couple of zip-ties round the frame tubes and use those. If you're having problems with shop-bought wheels, stress-relieve them and re-true.

Fine for running repairs in an emergency, but not much fun to use for hours.

 

[Fastpedaller]

I've been using my home- made one for 46 years!
Plywood or steel can be used to give a good jig. Likewise with a dishing stick - not rocket science, and spend your hard-earned money on something else!

 

[overmind]

Homemade option has served me well
View attachment 736042

I was going to ask, "How does your homemade option cope with different front and rear hub widths?" BUT then I saw the bolt at the bottom where you can adjust this; that's clever!