Wobble in front - tightening?

notnot

There's a bit of give in the front fork on my bike - if I lock the front break and push forwards, I can push the frame forward slightly (bike doesn't have front suspension). Does this mean I need to tighten/adjust the bolts below the handlebars? And what tool do I need to do this - will an adjustable spanner do?

Thanks!

davis

I'd guess your headset was a little loose, but you don't say what type you've got (but it's probably threaded given your mention of a spanner). Start here and tell us what you've got.

notnot

Thanks, and sorry about the slow reply. Looks like I've got a conventional threaded one, though mine has two steel circles between the top and bottom bolts on the handlebars.

The Rookie

What bolts on the handlebars, or do you mean on either the steerer (the part of the tube through the frame) or the Quill stem (that goes into it and you bolt the bars to)?

there are two largish nuts round the steerer directly above the top bearing.
Simple process anyway, loosen the top nut a small amount, tighten the lower nut until play is removed but the bearings don't go tight (as you are trying to crush them!) then hold the lower nut while tightening the upper locknut back down.

notnot

Thanks - the nuts on mine look quite like the ones on the bike pictured here https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=bike+ ... 1198%3B822

So I can get an adjustable spanner and then use it to loosen the top nut then tighten up the lower one?

notnot

Right - got this tightened up a bit. How tight do I want it? I've got it so I don't notice any wobble when I ride or trying to move the fork when I'm off the bike. When I'm on the bike and use my weight to push forward while the front brake's on I can get a tiny bit of give. Is this about right, or tighten further?

The Rookie

If (laying a finger across the joint) you can feel play, go a bit tighter, just enough to remove play.