I used to think those mobile bike repair vans were a gimmick, but seeing the one in the Denver REI parking lot yesterday changed my mind.

Watched the mechanic inside swap a bottom bracket on a customer's gravel bike in about 15 minutes flat, using a workstand bolted to the floor and a tool wall that was way more organized than my home shop... has anyone here worked out of a van and got tips on the best way to mount a vise?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_gray22d ago

Ever think about how a heavy vise might affect your van's suspension over time? I bolted mine directly to the frame through the floor, but had to add helper springs in the back after the corner started sagging. A lighter bench vise might be better than a big cast iron one unless you're always on flat ground.

diana5521d agoMost Upvoted

What about the extra wear on your tires from that uneven weight? A sagging corner means one tire carries more load, so it'll heat up faster and wear out quicker on long drives. That's a hidden cost people forget when they bolt heavy tools to one spot. You might not notice until you're buying a new set of tires a year early.