Od Designs OdPod

'Keep it simple' is always a good policy, especially when it comes to design and this Od Designs OdPod bike stand is exactly that.

It all started when the company owner Steve, a skilled metal worker specializing in industrial air conditioning systems, was asked to build something simple for his mate to take to mountain bike races. It was designed to be crammed in the car with all the other 'essentials' taken on a weekend racing so it had to pack away small, plus it needed to hold the back wheel up to allow for the gears to be adjusted and it needed to hold the bike up in the paddock (and not be leant up against the car).

What he came up with (after a few prototypes) is a kind of tripod that cradles your bike by its bottom bracket. It sounds simple and it is but most importantly it works effectively. I found that it works best on an external bottom bracket allowing the plastic support cups on the stand to rest on the bearing housing either side of the bottom bracket shell - although the width between the plastic support cups can be adjusted by bolting them either side of the metal frame giving about 6mm of adjustent and enabling it to be used on just the bottom bracket shell.

I found that the chain stays got in the way on my bike when trying to balance the bike on solely the BB shell. Once the bike is balanced on the stand it is remarkably stable; in fact you can sit on your bike and rock it back and forth like a rocking horse (Steve's party trick) but it isn't advisable.

The bike is held fast enough to get a jet wash to it without tipping it over, avoiding the splash back you get from leaning up against a wall. With the bike in the stand you can elevate the back wheel and turn the pedals allowing you to adjust your gears easily and do many other light servicing operations without the need for a full size work stand.

The OdPod folds flat and can just about squeeze into a rucksack although the widely splayed legs had to stick out of the top (Steve is working on a design that folds much smaller) and at about a kilogram it isn't too much weight to lug around on your back if you are using it as a mobile repair stand.

Available in a few choices of tough, powder coated colours or for a few quid more get a custom colour. At just £34.95 including postage go crazy, this is a bargain.

Verdict

Perfect accessory for many little jobs or simply keeping your bike upright at home.