The Vyper Chair Elevated Steel Max is Probably the Ultimate Shop Stool - Pond Beaver 2021
I've been working from home ever since we closed the Pinkbike office last year. Which means I've been working in the garage a lot. And not just on bikes, but all of my work. So Vyper Chair's Elevated Steel Max was a welcome addition to the shop.
I'm including this in our Pond Beaver coverage because they're a new company, and this isn't exactly a review—more of a love letter, really. What can I say, being comfortable is truly a passion of mine and something I feel very strongly about.
Details
• Made in Green Bay, WI, USA with local materials
• Powdercoated steel construction
• Arms and wheels available in black, red, & blue
• Seat available in black, grey, brown, or custom
• Custom embroidery available
• Adjustable 24" to 32" seat height is made for higher workstations
• 4" industrial grade casters
• Powdercoated steel construction
• Arms and wheels available in black, red, & blue
• Seat available in black, grey, brown, or custom
• Custom embroidery available
• Adjustable 24" to 32" seat height is made for higher workstations
• 4" industrial grade casters
• 300 lb capacity thanks to high quality foam
• Equipped with a backrest designed to promote good posture
• Comes with quick release seat clamp that locks your height if needed
• Stools start at $299; the Elevated Steel Max version is priced from $579 USD
• More information at vyperchair.com
• Equipped with a backrest designed to promote good posture
• Comes with quick release seat clamp that locks your height if needed
• Stools start at $299; the Elevated Steel Max version is priced from $579 USD
• More information at vyperchair.com
Clapped motorcycle, clapped tires, and a questionably built workbench.
Vyper Chair is a family business from Green Bay, WI that was started by a welder who was tired of cheap, poorly made, uncomfortable shop stools.
They now make a range of stools, but most bike shops use benches around 35" tall so we went with their updated Elevated Steel Max. Its 24"-32" height range is perfect—there's no issue using a computer at the workbench, and it still goes low enough to be useful for other tasks.
It's comfortable for mucking around with derailleurs on the bench, and it's comfortable when I'm working on spreadsheets. Dropping it down is great for working on the bike or motorcycle. I imagine it'd be an excellent welding stool as they originally intended, and I'd definitely drink at a bar that used these. The backrest is supportive and (you guessed it) comfortable, and the whole thing is super stable. No more tipping the apprentice over. It's built like a tank out of robust materials, and being able to use the QR seat clamp to set the height is a nice detail.
A quick release lets you lock the chair's height. I should replace this with an old Salsa QR for shop cred.
Custom embroidered Grim Donut goat.
The folks at Vyper kindly offered to embroider something custom for us on the backrest. I asked Taj Mihelich to draw up a version of his Grim Donut goat for the occasion, and I think it turned out awesome. Makes me smile every time.
The medium firm foam is super comfortable, even when you get sucked into answering emails for hours on end.
It's made using durable, powder coated steel components.
Downsides?
It may be the world's nicest shop stool, but it's also the most expensive. Value is subjective and it's not for me to say what's worth it, but I will say that the quality is excellent, it's made domestically, and there's nothing else out there like it. I looked far and wide to find something similar for less money, and failed; you could maybe try to find a used Steelcase elevated drafting chair to save some bucks (new they're pricier than the Vyper), but they wouldn't roll as well or be nearly as bombproof. Back in my bike shop days we broke the cheap automotive stools pretty regularly, while I'm pretty sure this one will outlive me.
It's not for everyone of course, and it doesn't need to be. You can definitely buy three or four basic, basic shop stools for the same price. Or like a thousand milk crates. The way I see it, an office worker doesn't bat an eye at a $1000 Aeron chair, and I see no reason that bike mechanics shouldn't be comfortable at work too.
Other downsides? It did take me a long time to build, but to be honest I enjoyed that part. Also, it might encourage you to be the person in the shop who rolls around everywhere for no reason. Don't be that person, please. (Kaz especially gets annoyed by the intra-shop-rollers)
Final thoughts
This is the best shop stool available as far as I'm concerned. If you can afford it and you're the kind of mechanic with an Efficient Velo stand, Abbey tools, and Wera hex keys, I can't recommend this stool enough.
More information at vyperchair.com.
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111 Comments
There's not even a café racer in my background.
Now what to do with this café racer I just mistakenly bought.
youtu.be/t2a-sUdaNJ8
(I don't even own a motorcycle and I have no plans to buy one but I still watch all his YouTube videos)
I spend stupid money on plenty of stupid things, and this won’t be one of them.
The sales rep was a Mtber, I rocked up in fox shorts and a flannel shirt.
He was a good salesman. Hence the torque wrench. I only wanted the hex wrenches...
also, www.aheaddrumsticks.com/drum-thrones-spg-bbr4.html four feet backrest $260ish
The one you linked looks good, but no wheels and too low. And for $39 more you can get the base model Vyper.
I like using a drum throne because I can tip it forward to lean forward, mine is cheap so it’s also light and easy to keep under me while scooting around. The wheels on my park stool didn’t like to roll on my softish horse stall mat. The mats, btw, are also cheap and do wonders for your back and dropped parts, tools. I think they come in 1/2” and 1” thickness. I used 1” for the entire shop. Bearings and tiny springs don’t bounce under the bench and the black color is good contrast for my eyes.
www.amazon.com/Pro-Lift-C-2036D-Grey-Z-Creeper-Seat/dp/B00826OVWW/ref=asc_df_B00826OVWW/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198151843411&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11139628028615288028&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028749&hvtargid=pla-365990551894&psc=1