Worrying handlebars

Onan

My handlebars rattle. I can grab them, and wobble them about in the stem, and they make a din when I go over bumps. They've been that way for a while, and I cant figure out why. I've tightened the front bit of the stem as tight as it will go. It's a ridiculously simple problem, and I'm ashamed to have to ask for help.

:oops:

I really ought to take my bike to somebody who knows what they're doing, but I can't afford at the moment.

andrewjoseph

Onan wrote:

... I really ought to take my bike to somebody who knows what they're doing, but I can't afford at the moment.

Can you afford a broken arm, leg, back, skull? You need to get it sorted before you ride it again

If it's just handlebar loose in the stem, perhaps it has worn grooves such that the stem clamp is not contacting the bar surface. you either need a new stem or bar, or more likely both.

It needn't cost mega bucks, £5-10 for a stem and £20-30 for bars. (depending on what you are using)

Onan

Is it really that big of a deal? I've been riding with it rattly for ages. It's not like I can pull the handlebars out of the stem.

I suppose the aluminium could sheer off.

:shock:

Slow Downcp

Put a little grease between the stem faceplate and bars, and grease the stem bolt threads. That may solve the problem.

Onan

Slow Downcp wrote:

Put a little grease between the stem faceplate and bars, and grease the stem bolt threads. That may solve the problem.

I'll try that. Thanks.

Onan

andrewjoseph wrote:

Onan wrote:

... I really ought to take my bike to somebody who knows what they're doing, but I can't afford at the moment.

Can you afford a broken arm, leg, back, skull? You need to get it sorted before you ride it again

If it's just handlebar loose in the stem, perhaps it has worn grooves such that the stem clamp is not contacting the bar surface. you either need a new stem or bar, or more likely both.

It needn't cost mega bucks, £5-10 for a stem and £20-30 for bars. (depending on what you are using)

By the way, technically, I can afford the broken arm, leg, back and or skull, but the 30 quid for new bars would ruin me.

nicklouse

the bars should not be making that type of noise.

please remove them and check for damage. If ok re fit.

what type of pars and stem is it?

Pics if you do not know.

Onan

I'm just waiting to get some grease, then I can take it apart, check for damage, and put it back together again.

What kind of grease would you recommend for general maintenance?

When you say check for damage, what exactly should I be looking for?

Do you think I ought to replace the handlebars just in case rattling about in the stem has unduely fatigued them?

As for the type of handlebars and stem, I'll go down to the shed and have a look before I leave for uni. (getting the bus, it would seem).

Thanks very much for your help.

Onan

I just realised what it is doing all the rattling, and I'm even more embarassed than ever. It's the adjustable stem!

I'm a complete numpty. I just assumed it was the handlebars rattling about, but when I actually look at it, concentrate, and wobble it, I can see the adjustable part of the stem moving from side to side.

It looks like one of these:



Only not as expensive. I believe it's a halfords own brand, since it's unmarked. It has an alan key bolt in the side. Should I just tighten that up and see?

Onan

Well, problem solved. I can't believe I've been riding around with a rattly stem for months. I've only started to pay attention to what stuff on my bike is, and how it works recently, due to being skinter than usual. I used to just take it into the bike shop for everything, so I really have no idea about anything. I only fixed my first puncture the other week.

Only question is, since the stem has been rattling about loose at the adjustable part for a really long time, is it going to need replacing?

edhornby

the logical decision would be to take it apart, check the bolt and the faces of the stem that contact, if there's excessive wear tthen it's time for a replacement - but if not tighten it up and see how you go. If it needs tightening after a week then I'd write it off as cheap tat.... but that's my opinion, you'll have a better opinion because its your bike

if you need a replacement, I'd say if you don't need an adjustable one, don't get one as it's less to go wrong

ince

You will need to check for damage. Depending on how much play there was in the joint when it was rattling about will affect what damage was done.

Now you have it all tightened up is there still any play? If so the contact surface may be damaged and the play could cause the alen bolt to come free again. If in doubt get it checked by someone who knows what they are looking at.

I have one of these joints on my subway and I must admit it has always had a little play from new. I guess the QC is not that high on these parts.

WeeJimmy

I had one of those on my Boardman Team Hybrid and I could not make the toothed parts of the stem mesh together properly - the "best" setup still left a horrible creaking noise and some remaining lateral play on the bar.

I took it back to Halfrauds and they swapped it with a fixed stem (under warrantee) and that was that (I didn;t ask for a fixed unit, but that's what I rode away with). Not sure whether my problem was a faulty unit or shared ineptitude of shop staff and me in our ability to set it up properly.

When I read about problems like this I'm encouraged that it could just be a general flaw with adjustable stems! Good luck.

Onan

ince wrote:

You will need to check for damage. Depending on how much play there was in the joint when it was rattling about will affect what damage was done.

Now you have it all tightened up is there still any play? If so the contact surface may be damaged and the play could cause the alen bolt to come free again. If in doubt get it checked by someone who knows what they are looking at.

I have one of these joints on my subway and I must admit it has always had a little play from new. I guess the QC is not that high on these parts.

I tightened it up, and rode it to university and back. No play yet. It's nice and stiff now. If I start to get any play in it again, i'll bite the bullet and buy a new stem.

If I can though, I'm hoping to ride it til christmas, when the student loan payment drops in, and it can get a much needed service.

Onan

WeeJimmy wrote:

I had one of those on my Boardman Team Hybrid and I could not make the toothed parts of the stem mesh together properly - the "best" setup still left a horrible creaking noise and some remaining lateral play on the bar.

I took it back to Halfrauds and they swapped it with a fixed stem (under warrantee) and that was that (I didn;t ask for a fixed unit, but that's what I rode away with). Not sure whether my problem was a faulty unit or shared ineptitude of shop staff and me in our ability to set it up properly.

When I read about problems like this I'm encouraged that it could just be a general flaw with adjustable stems! Good luck.

Maybe it's just a flaw with halfords adjustable stems. Seems more likely to me.

il_principe

Onan wrote:

Maybe it's just a flaw with halfords adjustable stems. Seems more likely to me.

Halfords eh, seems more than likely to me.