Feedback Sports Pro Mechanic HD Review

Feedback Sports makes a full line of products for wrenching on your bikes, including several models of their signature red-anodized work stands. The Pro Mechanic HD is the newest model in their line, aimed squarely at the electric bike market or anyone who wants the beefiest option they can find. We tested it with a range of bikes, from lightweight gravel models to mid-weight trail bikes and heavy electric commuter models. We were thoroughly impressed by its ease of use, stability, and well-thought-out design. All that comes at a relatively high asking price; for some, that cost is justified, while for others, this stand is more than they need.

Performance Comparison

Ease of Setup

As with other Feedback work stands, the Pro HD is incredibly easy to set up and take down. The one caveat is that at a measured weight of 17 pounds (lighter than the claimed weight of 18 pounds), it's slightly heavier than other models. Regardless, after a few practice runs, you can set it up and be ready to wrench in less than 30 seconds. Not that deploying your repair stand is a race, but the Pro HD makes the process quick and painless.

Two large silver quick-release levers control the tripod legs and the height adjustment. We found it easiest to open and secure the legs before adjusting the height. The support arm folds out and can be rotated into the desired clamping position by loosening the large three-pronged silver knob at the back and then tightening it back down. This large knob is easy to grasp and spins freely, making it quick to open and close. Press the clamp's quick-release button to open the clamp jaws, and you're ready to go. The ratcheting clamp jaws are super easy to squeeze tight around a seatpost or frame tube before finishing it off with a couple of twists of the clamp knob. Some additional fine-tuning of the clamp arm's angle and/or position over the legs to optimize stability may be needed once you get a bike in the stand, but the Pro HD couldn't be easier to set up. Collapsing the stand is just as quick and easy as reversing the process.

Stability

The Pro Mechanic HD has a sturdy, overbuilt design made to handle bikes up to its 100-pound weight limit, and it's impressively stable. From the sturdy clamp arm and adjustments to the oversized tubing and the wide tripod footprint, this stand was made to support heavy bikes, and it shows. The Pro HD remains solid whether you're loading an 80-pound electric cargo bike in the stand for a tune-up or wrenching hard on a stubborn, seized bottom bracket. As with any work stand, the higher you position the weight, the less stable it will become.

With 29-inch long tripod legs, the Pro HD has a wide footprint with 48 inches between the feet in its fully open position. The height of the clamp arm can be adjusted from 44 inches to 68 inches (measured from the top of the clamp jaws), and, not surprisingly; it's notably more stable when lower in this adjustment range. The beefy jaws and clamp arm angle adjustment ensure that it holds whatever bike you choose to wrench on securely and without slippage. As is typical with all tripod-style models, the most stable position is with the clamp arm and weight positioned above one of the legs.

Clamp

Feedback Sports has been making the most user-friendly clamps in the repair stand business for some time now, and that trend continues with the Pro Mechanic HD. The 3-inch rubber-coated jaws open up to 2.6 inches wide with a slick ratcheting closure and tension adjustment knob that can be operated with one hand. No other brand makes it as easy to clamp your bike in the stand.

Feedback Sports already made the best clamp in the business, but they've one-upped themselves with the Pro HD. While it doesn't look remarkably different other than the color of the clamp jaws, they claim that it closes 60% faster than the Pro Elite. That's hard to quantify, but we did find it to be even easier to use, which is especially important when lifting and clamping a heavy bike in the stand. The ratcheting clamp jaws are easy to squeeze closed around the seatpost or frame, and the redesigned tension adjustment knob quickly tightens them down the rest of the way. To release the clamp, simply press the quick-release button and jaws pop right open. It couldn't be any easier.

The clamp jaws measure three inches long and open up to 2.6 inches wide to accommodate tubes of all sizes. They close to 0.75 inches, smaller than just about any tube diameter you'll likely come across. The jaws are lined with firm but surprisingly grippy black rubber pads that are easily removable from the forged metal clamp jaws should you ever need to replace them. All of the pieces feel like they've been built to handle bikes up to 100 pounds, and it has an overall tougher and more durable feel than other models.

Angle Adjustment

The Pro HD is a little bigger in every way compared to previous Feedback Sports stands, including the sturdy support arm and adjusters. The arm itself is slightly larger in diameter to add stiffness and house the ratcheting clamp's internals. It can be rotated 360 degrees to position your bike at any angle. Nearly everything is metal, including the oversized knob that makes it quick and easy to adjust the angle and secure it in place.

Most work stands boast 360 degrees of angle adjustment, but few make it as easy or secure as the Pro Mechanic HD. With or without the bike in the stand, the adjustment is simple using the large silver knob opposite the support arm. Loosen the knob, twist the arm into the desired position, then crank the knob tight; it's simple. The large knob is easy to tighten and feels extra secure for supporting heavy bikes. Of course, stability can become an issue when bikes are held at extreme angles, so caution must still be exercised despite the Pro HD's ability to handle the weight.

Height Adjustment

The Pro Mechanic HD scores well in the height adjustment metric with more adjustability than most people will really ever need. The oversized vertical tubes slide easily, and the burly metal quick-release lever secures it at whatever height you choose.

With the clamp arm at its lowest position, we measured a height of 44 inches from the floor to the top of the clamp jaws. Fully extended, we measured it at 68 inches off the floor. That's adequate for pretty much any task, and most people will likely utilize the lower portion of its height adjustment range as we did during testing. Given its impact on stability, we'd also be hesitant to lift really heavy bikes to the highest position.

Portability

While it doesn't top the charts in our portability metric, the Pro HD is still easily portable. It's comparable in size to similar repair stands but weighs a few pounds more than any other model we tested. Regardless, it doesn't take up that much space when stored or stashed in your vehicle, and it's still light enough that it's not too cumbersome to deal with when you need to carry it or move it around.

Given the heavy-duty design of the Pro HD, it weighs a little more. The heavier gauge tubing, sturdier hardware, and larger size required to make it capable of supporting heavy e-bikes add up to a measured weight of 17 pounds on our hanging bike scale. Interestingly, this is a pound lighter than Feedback's claimed weight. Still, it's 3.5 pounds heavier than the Topeak PrepStand Pro, for example, and that weight is noticeable. Despite the added weight, most people can still easily pick it up with one hand. The folded dimensions of 45" L x 8" W are fairly typical, and it doesn't take up any more storage or trunk space than similar models. It stands neatly in its folded-up position in a corner and easily fits into a closet or the trunk of your car for transport to and from the races or on a camping/riding trip. It does not come with a transport bag, but Feedback Sports sells one for an additional fee.

Everyday Maintenance

The Pro Mechanic HD is a solid choice for everyday maintenance tasks, especially for those who have heavier electric bikes or those who use their repair stand a lot. Not only is it quick to set up and break down, but the best-in-class clamp makes it super quick and easy to get bikes in and out of the stand.

Additionally, the beefed-up build of this stand means that it's ready to stand up to hard-wrenching efforts and daily use and abuse. Feedback Sports also stands behind it with a 3-year warranty, so it's safe to assume they think their product is up to the task. Our only real concern is for those who might leave it set up outside for extended periods. A previous red-anodized test model faded from prolonged sun exposure, which happens to anodized aluminum.

Should You Buy the Feedback Sports Pro Mechanic HD?

There's no denying that the Pro Mechanic HD is expensive, but it is the best work stand we've used for wrenching on electric bikes. Its stability, sturdy clamp design, and high weight limit are without equal in the market. It shouldn't be pigeonholed as just for e-bikes, however, as it works just as well for lightweight bikes too. Despite its high price, its overbuilt design means that it will stand the test of time, regardless of how heavily it gets used. Think of it like an investment that will pay dividends in the long term.

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