the 'there's no such thing as a stupid question' bike maintenance thread

slideshow bob · 31-03-2026 11:01PM

That's a threaded headset I think. There's a star nut in the fork. That might have dropped out of position. You'll need to unscrew the large lock nut to free up the headset. You might find the star nut in there, or may have to get a new one.

There are some videos on how to service a thread less headset on YouTube.

BoardsMember · 31-03-2026 11:04PM

Ok thanks. I'll have a look for threaded headset servicing. Though you mention both threaded and threadless?

cletus · 01-04-2026 07:45AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124354642#Comment_124354642

You have a quill stem, with a threaded fork. The nut at the top of the fork should be loosened to allow you to move the handlebars etc.

Take out the handlebars, there'll be a wedge in the head tube take it out, put the bolt back through the stem, and rethread the wedge back on. It doesn't need to come off completely when you move handlebars etc.

cletus · 01-04-2026 08:10AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124354681#Comment_124354681

https://youtu.be/TOSBd_5HO64?is=5zd-qsMAfi-aYkeP

https://youtu.be/yM90mfrjkUA?is=sg_E_4xSKkNPF9C1

Here, have a look at these

BoardsMember · 01-04-2026 11:08AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124354934#Comment_124354934

Thanks @cletus for the info. I got the hanldebars off with the loosening of the nut at the top of the fork, with a fair bit of elbow grease. The wedge came out when I turned it upside down. All good now, reassembled.

hesker · 01-04-2026 02:56PM

I know it’s all sorted now but just to be picky the nut at the top of the fork is for securing the fork, not the handlebar or stem. You shouldn’t have to touch this nut at all. Usually what may be required is a sharp tap on the Allen bolt with a piece of wood after you have loosened it. This will dislodge the wedge nut.

cletus · 01-04-2026 03:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124356020#Comment_124356020

Your most likely right hesker, it's a long time since I had to do anything with a quill stem, bit fuzzy. Wedge was already dropped into the head tube.

He did want to service the headset too, I think.

BoardsMember · 01-04-2026 06:38PM

Thanks lads. Maybe the nut i loosened wasn't relevant - it could be that having loosened it i gave it more elbow grease to pull the handlebars up and out. I tapped it a few times but it was good and stuck to be fair, it fought coming out all the way!

I did indeed want to service the headset.

cletus · 01-04-2026 06:51PM

Glad you're sorted. Bookmark the Park tools YouTube channel, and make it your go to resource for bike maintenance

BoardsMember · 01-04-2026 07:15PM

Thanks @cletus I was aware of the site, I just didn't know which stem/fork type i had so I wasn't sure what I was working with/what video to watch.

howsshenow · 02-04-2026 01:07PM

By chance would anyone kindly know where to have a Bosch PowerPack 500Wh Battery repaired?

It only had light use and never got wet but failed after 2 yrs.

Thanks

the 'there's no such thing as a stupid question' bike maintenance thread

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