Loose handlebars
Thread started by
HappyLand at 03.18.09 - 9:01 am
The allen screws on the handlebar clamp (I think that's the term?) keep coming loose, causing the handlebars to sort of creak and shift a little. Keep tightening the damn things, but they always seem to come undone (Not too much, but enough to annoy me). It's a new bike.
Should I just have someone look at it at my LBS or can I fix this on my own? Do I need new screws or something?
What say you?
Much thanks for any help you might have to offer!
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Do nothing,
Don't you know?
It's all the rage.
rayrayray03.18.09 - 9:05 am
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No I didn't know because I am too unhip to participate in "rages" - it is sad times : (
HappyLand03.18.09 - 9:09 am
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You should first make sure that your handle bars are the right size for that camp, if they are not then that might mean the threading on the clamp or the screws themselves might be striped. Go to the one of the local bike collectives if you cant figure it out with the info I gave you above
apineda03.18.09 - 9:10 am
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Sorry let my correct myself if the handle bars are the right size than that might mean you should check out the threading
apineda03.18.09 - 9:12 am
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its possible that you have a mismatched handlebar and stem. I have the same problem. My handlebars are slightly too small for the stem.
If you don't want to buy new shit, you can fix it with a shim. You can make a shim yourself by cutting a piece of aluminum can and sliding it under your handle bar where the stem connects. Experiment with how much shim you need.
Roadblock03.18.09 - 9:13 am
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make sure the lugs have washers on them.
sancho103.18.09 - 9:16 am
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How can you tell if the bars and stem are mismatched?
Can you just buy shims? I don't know if I have the equipment to cut aluminum!
Thanks for answering all my newb questions!
HappyLand03.18.09 - 9:24 am
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"I don't know if I have the equipment to cut aluminum! "
uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...... a box cutter can cut a can of coke
theladiesman03.18.09 - 9:28 am
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Well, as I've never attempted to cut aluminum (Though I have sliced my finger open with it), I think it's a legit question.
But thanks for pointing out how easy it is!
HappyLand03.18.09 - 9:31 am
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who put the bicycle together?
did you buy it new from a bike shop, or from somewhere else? or did you buy it used?
are the parts all alloy or steel or carbon?
adrian03.18.09 - 9:35 am
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Got it from bikesdirect.com - it was hard trying to find something (New or used) that fit me and also suited my price range (I'm short! And poor!).
My dad and I assembled it. My dad's pretty experienced with bike assembly, though not so much with "modern bikes."
Parts are aluminum.... (I think?) It's this bike: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/sheila.htm
I know I know...but I really like it! And it's my beginner's road bike. Everything's great except for the handlebars - just worried about it being a hazard.
Trying to have her ready for a trip to SF this weekend....
Really appreciate all the help, especially since it's a nice distraction from work ; p
HappyLand03.18.09 - 9:43 am
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to tell if they are loose just tighten the screws as much as you can then just wiggle the handle bars, if they are still loose than they are probably loose, a user above said to make sure you have washers in the screws
apineda03.18.09 - 9:43 am
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When I tighten everything, nothing moves. Comes just a little loose after riding, and not even that much. Gonna check at lunch time for the washers...but I feel like maybe there aren't any on the screws for the clamp....
This is a lot of fun. I've been learning a lot through the process of assembling and becoming acquainted with my new bike. I've only been riding for a little more than six months and I positively love it.
HappyLand03.18.09 - 9:58 am
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Happyland,
If the threads are coming loose like you say they are, use some loctite on the threads. The creaking can be from the bolts coming loose, or that the two surfaces, the stem and the fork tube are sliding just enough to make noise. When you have the two parts apart, the stem and the forks, give the surfaces a coat of bearing grease. Then wipe the grease off. There will be thin film left on the surface that will now stop the creaking.
If it's a new bike like you say it is, then there isn't a need for shims and there should be no loose fitting parts like some are suggesting.
User103.18.09 - 10:14 am
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Hey User1,
Thanks a bunch. Your advice makes the most sense to me because it's a new bike and all the parts (Except for the skewers and the seat post - my dad let me take some of his extra nicer parts) are what came in the box. It's not that loose, just a little, and creaks.
I'll give your advise a shot tonight and see what happens the next time I hop on.
Thanks to everyone else too for all your help!
<3
HappyLand03.18.09 - 10:26 am
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Take out the bolts and make sure the threads aren't clogged up with dirt or metal shavings.
When you put them back in put a little grease on the threads. That will help them clamp down harder.
stillline03.18.09 - 4:29 pm
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