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Bicycle repair

  • 04-05-2010 8:04am
    #1
    The_Seal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 94 ✭✭


    Hi all,
    The handle bars on my bike broke recently, the bolt inside the stem broke. It connected the handle bars to the forks. Would I be able to repair this myself and just get a new bolt or should I bring it in the get repaired


Comments

  • #2
    seamus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    Which bolt broke now?

    There are (usually) three bolts where the stem connects to the fork - two bolts on the stem clamp, perpendicular to the fork tube, and one in the headset cap, pointing down towards the wheel.

    In most cases a broken bolt is easily replaceable, but it depends on which one it is.


  • #3
    The_Seal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 94 ✭✭The_Seal


    I think its the one in the headset cap. When i turn the handlebars the wheel doesnt move. Not great for cycling really.


  • #4
    kona
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,525 ✭✭✭kona


    The_Seal wrote: »
    Hi all,
    The handle bars on my bike broke recently, the bolt inside the stem broke. It connected the handle bars to the forks. Would I be able to repair this myself and just get a new bolt or should I bring it in the get repaired

    Your gunna have to be more specific, there are 2 main types of stem.

    If your bike is cheap or very old, it will have a quill stem, this uses 1 bolt in the middle which expends as you tighten..

    The second is the one mentioned above.

    Id replce that stem, if the bolt snapped, you can be sure the stem isnt too far behind.


  • #5
    seamus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    Sounds like the bolts on the stem clamp have either been loosened or have sheared.

    The one in the cap (pointing down towards the wheel) only keeps everything together, it doesn't stop the stem from moving independently of the wheel.

    Try tightening the stem bolts (see picture below). If they won't tighten, then take them out and have a look to see if the bolts or the stem are threaded. If the bolts are threaded, they can be replaced. If the stem itself has been threaded, it will probably have to be replaced.
    picture

    On the other hand, if yours looks nothing like the above picture and you don't have stem bolts, then you have an old-style threaded stem. In this case, try tightening the bolt at the top. If it won't tighten, then yes it's broken and you'll need a new bolt or a new stem.


  • #6
    The_Seal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 94 ✭✭The_Seal


    Yes its the bolt that is broken, i took it out and it had snapped in two. Think ill bring it to the shop. Dont completely trust myself or the bike now.


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  • #7
    kona
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,525 ✭✭✭kona


    The_Seal wrote: »
    Yes its the bolt that is broken, i took it out and it had snapped in two. Think ill bring it to the shop. Dont completely trust myself or the bike now.

    What bike is it?


  • #8
    The_Seal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 94 ✭✭The_Seal


    Its an old y-frame mountain bike no brand really.


  • #9
    kona
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,525 ✭✭✭kona


    The_Seal wrote: »
    Its an old y-frame mountain bike no brand really.

    Its a good opertunity to upgrade, especially with the Cycle to work scheme.
    When these bikes start to fall apart, they can get very expensive.

    Like a LBS will charge you the guts of e20 - e30 to replace the stem.

    With Cycle to work you can get a serious saving, depending on your tax rate you only pay 79% or 58% of the cost of the bike depending on your tax band...


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