Topeak Prepstand Max review

Offering a fresh approach to workstands, with the Prepstand Max your bike ‘balances’ on top of the stand, meaning you have clear 360-degree access at all times.

With the bike supported in a central position on top of the stand, Topeak says it's easy to work on all parts of the bike.

With this stand, the frustration of catching your cranks on the stand as you turn them should be a thing of the past.

Topeak Prepstand Max specifications and details

There is no assembly required with this stand and it comes ready to use in its carry case.

With a low, adjustable working height of 80 to 108cm, it may not suit taller mechanics, but the maximum load capacity is a respectable 25kg – enough for some electric mountain bikes.

The bike sits on the jaws, and a range of frame shapes and diameters were held comfortably, especially when the spring-loaded hook was positioned across the down tube.

The folded stand measures 95cm but, when open, the tripod legs offer a base diameter of 102cm. The flat pads on the bottom of the legs give it stability even on uneven ground.

Topeak Prepstand Max performance

An efficient and lightweight design, the Prepstand Max is refreshingly strong and stable. Given how light and compact the stand is when folded, I was pleasantly surprised at how robust the stand is in regular use.

Loading all the bike’s weight through the centre of the stand, the rubber-booted legs take all the pressure equally.

Once adjusted to height, the stand is solid and does not drop, even with the whole weight of a bike on it. The bottom bracket of your bike sits in the V-shaped jaw and is angled forwards and clamped in place.

There are a few obvious downsides to this stand. The limited access to any cables routed externally under the bottom bracket may make life more difficult – although you can reach them, it’s not easy.

It’s not possible to change the angle of the jaws, but the bike naturally sits with the head lower, making it a reasonable position for bleeding brakes.

Finally, the stand will only fit the bike frame as a whole, meaning you can’t clamp parts such as forks individually.

Unlike other home workstands, this one takes up so little room when folded that it's tempting to leave it in the van for emergency use when out riding.

Topeak Prepstand Max bottom line

This is a practical, super-lightweight stand, which holds the bike securely. While it has its limitations, it’s a great option if you’re limited on space.