Even Park agrees with Dale on clamping to the seatpost. I wrote them asking if they had received any complaints on frames damaged by the ICS-1 attachment. Here is the response I received:
"We have not had complaints (that I'm aware of) regarding frame damage caused by the ISC-1. If someone were to really overtighten the knob they could overstress a seat tube, but it they just tighten the knob until it's just snug, there shouldn't be any problem. That being said, the safest place to grab a delicate frame is by the seat post rather than the seat tube. Thanks. Dan "
With that said, I really like the ICS-1. For quick repairs, I clamp to the seatpost, but if I will be working on the bike for awhile, I pull the post and insert the ICS-1. If you clamp it tightly in the regular clamp, it doesn't move (they should not have finished it in smooth chrome) and it holds the frame very well with only light tightening of the expander. The ex-Schwinn mechanic in me really likes the freedom of being able to pivot the frame in the stand and, for the $50 I spent on it, it was cost effective compared to the time it would take me to modify my stand.
It's great to have so many good choices in quality repair stands. I recall the bad old days when smaller shops would have rickety patched together repair stands. I really disliked the Eldi, though I knew some mechanics who prefered them over the Park. I wrenched on some real dogs.
Steve Barner, Bolton, Vermont