Cycle lift. Which one?

[downhillhunter]

I'm going to buy a cycle lift, but unsure of which one to get.

Harbor Freight has one for $300. Hyd. foot pump.

Handy Lift has one for $750. Air lift.

Kendon has one for $650. Only 150#s.

And many others.

Does anyone have any experience with any cycle lifts?

What's your advice?

Thanks,

Downhill Hunter

[dlearl476]

Never mind:

http://www.handyindustries.com/shop/product_view.asp?idProduct=1153&D=1&S=21

[dronning]

I have the 12" side extensions on mine bought it 8 years ago.

Dave

[DanGreene]

I have been using the Harbor Freight lift for several months now and I am well pleased. Considering the price of $299, one of the best investments I have made in a long time. A lift makes working on the bike much easier. :thumb

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

I have one of the models from this place that works very well. Great to deal with and stand behind their products.

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/

[lensuz]

Which of these models has the capability to drop the rear tire through a "drop out door"?

[raygun]

Just checked out the Greg Smith SBL800 and it is the same lift that Harbor Frieght sales for $200 less.

[GregFeeler]

I'm going to buy a cycle lift, but unsure of which one to get.

Harbor Freight has one for $300. Hyd. foot pump.
Handy Lift has one for $750. Air lift.
Kendon has one for $650. Only 150#s.
And many others.

Does anyone have any experience with any cycle lifts?
What's your advice?

Thanks,
Downhill Hunter

I just bought the Harbor Freight lift so only have initial impressions. However, I did some investigation first and got feedback from several close friends with both the HF and Handy Lifts. From that there's no doubt that the Handy Lift is a premium product, and no one I talked to was disappointed. However, $700 or so wasn't in my budget. The people I know with the HF unit said it was a good, serviceable lift well worth the money. Not as pretty as the Handy, and not what you'd buy for daily use in a bike shop, but up the to task for the average Joe home bike wrench. Since it's stocked locally I didn't have to pay freight and have 30 days to return it if I'm disappointed (which I will if I am).

I will add a better wheel vice (~$50) but the construction looks solid, it has a rear wheel drop out plate, all the pivot points have grease fittings, it's easy to roll around, and collapses down to 7" height which allows me to park a bike on it for space saving in my garage.

[downhillhunter]

I'm looking at the Handy lift, but I'm stumbling over the price a little.

One of the concerns that I have is: how many pumps does the Harbor Freight lift take to get it to full extension?

I have knee problems and I'm a little worried about it.

Maybe I should just bite the bullet and get the Handy.

What do you think?


Downhill Hunter

[DarrylRi]

I was fortunate enough to get a Handy Lift from a dealership that went under. Cost me only slightly more than the HF unit.

[dronning]

downhillhunter

sent you a pm

Dave

[saab93driver]

Looking around at most M/C shops all I see is Handy Lifts. I recently got the Handy Handyman model lift with the wheel clamp - it's model designed for home use. It doesn't have the rear tire drop out but that's not an issue for me with my current bike. Unit is well made, heavy with grease zerks on the pivots. I wish it folded down a little thinner (7") so I could park my car over it, considering having part of the floor in garage lowered to accommodate the lift (more $$), but will depend on whether I stay at current place not. I wanted something made in USA if I could afford it. The air operated Handy was $595 with wheel clamp + shipping. There are several accessories for it depending upon what you want to do.

http://www.handyindustries.com/shop/department_view.asp?D=6

[downhillhunter]

Thanks, guys!

As usual, your advice and experience has been really helpful.

I was informed ( thanks saab93driver) that the Handy Lift company now makes a lighter, thus less expensive version of their air powered lift. $595 plus shipping. Made with the garage mechanic in mind. I have ordered one today. (also, thanks to dronning)

If you're interested, check out their web site:

http://www.handyindustries.com/shop/index.asp

Look under specials. Rumor has it that because of the rise in steel prices, there will be a price increase in the Spring. If there is a dealer in your area you may get it for less and with out paying for the shipping.

I'll let you know how it works out.

Thanks again,

We'll see you in Wisconsin.

Downhill Hunter

[GregFeeler]

Thanks, guys!

As usual, your advice and experience has been really helpful.

I was informed ( thanks saab93driver) that the Handy Lift company now makes a lighter, thus less expensive version of their air powered lift. $595 plus shipping. Made with the garage mechanic in mind. I have ordered one today. (also, thanks to dronning)

If you're interested, check out their web site:

http://www.handyindustries.com/shop/index.asp

Look under specials. Rumor has it that because of the rise in steel prices, there will be a price increase in the Spring. If there is a dealer in your area you may get it for less and with out paying for the shipping.

I'll let you know how it works out.

Thanks again,

We'll see you in Wisconsin.

Downhill Hunter

Congratulations! A friend of mine says once you get a lift you'll never go back to rolling around on the floor. Makes sense to me. ;)

[Djstephens]

I've got the cheaper Harbor freight one, but it fit's my needs well. I've used it much more than I ever thought I would. The manual pump isn't that bad, but the air assist would be nice. Just couldn't justify the extra expense for the air, but the extras that I see are available for the "Handy lift", might make it worth the difference. Mine is not expandable, so it's only useful for bikes.

[downhillhunter]

You're right DJ!

I think the H/F lift is a good lift and I was really tempted, but my knees aren't the greatest so I decided to get the air lift.

I also needed to extend the sides for ATVs, sleds and my garden tractor.

Good luck!