TheBlackPumpkin

I'm relatively new to bike mechanics and have been trying to learn / do all of the work on my bike (minus truing, not gonna buy a truing stand). I have a couple of semi-rounded screws on my rim brake clipers (specifically the ones used to adjust pad distance). Wondering if there are semi-universal bolt / screw sizings where I could just buy an assorted kit of bolts / screws for my bike to have on hand. Obviously I could just pop the screw out and pop over to home depot but figured I might start here.

ScottCommutes

Most of the stuff at Home Depot is home oriented. They really do not have a lot of even automotive hardware, and even less bike hardware. I kid you not. I would try asking your local bike shop.

Paul_P

And while you're at it, you might want to replace the Phillips head screws with stainless steel hex socket head cap screws which are turned with your Allen keys and won't strip out.
Someone here mentioned this recently and I just replaced my derailleur adjustment screws (4mm and I believe the brakes adjusters are also 4mm).
You can buy huge assortments of stainless steel metric fasteners on amazon for cheap. Probably not the highest quality, but sufficient for a bike.

PromptCritical 

McMaster-Carr has an incredible selection of nuts, bolts and everything under the sun. They also list very detailed specifications about their products (strengths, tolerances, etc). Great site. One could get lost there. Here in San Diego shipping is next morning. Not sure about Denver.

BelMetric has a great selection of metric fasteners.

Both sell very high quality items.

FBinNY 

The bike world mostly uses 2 threads on brakes. M6x1 on mounting bolts and brake shoes. And M5x.8 for cable pinch bolts.

The M5 is also common elsewhere; on derailleurs, fender eyes, etc.

BITD, we used to sell kits like you're seeking, but I don't know if anything similar is still available.

OTOH, there aren't that many nuts and screws used on bikes, so you can make a single buy and cover all the bases without spending much

Steve B.

I have luck finding metric 3-4-5-&6 mm stainless hex head screws at my local Ace hardware.

spclark 

If you're close enuf to a major (ACE, TrueValue) hardware store you might have an alternate source of metric fasteners available. Hillmann is a major supplier to both retail outlets (and some others) that may make buying local not only more convenient but also a bit less costly than other suppliers like McMaster.

I use McMaster for stuff I can't get from the Hillman array at my local Ace when necessary but the UPS shipping $$ has to be factored into the equation. If I need one or five items, local is vastly cheaper. If it's 20+ the nod goes to McMaster or another vendor.

zandoval 

Do note that adjusting and replacing brake pads can be tedious. Take your time. You will note that there are rounded and flat washers, long bolts, and caps that can be rearranged to provide you the best angle and toe of braking power.

My only bike using OEM pads is my Wall Hanger. All the rest have modified and adapted generic "Kool Stop" style brake pads.

TheBlackPumpkin

Thanks for all the great information. We've got a massive ACE in the area so I'll check them out and check out Mcmaster if I ever want to pickup a bunch of stuff.

Paul_P Great suggestion, for some reason I didn't even think about this I think my brain just automatically assumed if this was an option they would've used them to begin with, completely ignoring the tiny Allen keys in my set lmao

EDIT: Does make me wonder though if higher-end bikes come stock with better quality fasteners. Roll is a great bike for what it is but it's definitely an entry level and I'm sure they tend to skimp on that stuff the lower in budget you go.

TheBlackPumpkin

Yeah I massively rounded one off when I swapped from stock rims to velocity Dyads and didn't know what I was doing with brake adjusting (tried to just figure it out on my own) and through fatigue and frustration, rounded that sucker. On the bright side I learned a lot of what NOT to do lol

Paul_P

Just an example :

VIGRUE 304 Stainless Steel Screws and Nuts, M3 M4 M5 M6 Hex Socket Head Cap Screws Assortment Set Kit with Storage Box (520 Pcs Hex Socket Head Cap Screws Nuts)

Then some washers and nyloc nuts.

More than you'll ever need...

TheBlackPumpkin

Excactly what I was looking for.

oldbobcat

Bicycles don't customarily throw off nuts and bolts, and trying to anticipate what you're likely to break or lose is nearly impossible. Keep your spares, remember your local bike shop has spares, too, and they can order the special-purpose stuff that you'd never find in a hardware store.

JoeTBM 

But I find them the most expensive, only use them when in a pinch

grumpus

Be aware that metric fasteners come in multiple pitches, sellers may not state which one - M5 could be M5x0.8 or M5x0.5, M6 could be M6x1.0 or M6x0.75 - the bicycle versions are the more common coarse threads in those cases. But there is potential for confusion: M10x1.0 for derailleur hangers and rear axles, where the coarse pitch is 1.5 and 1.0 is the middle of three fine pitches (0.75 and 1.25 being the others).

Atlas Shrugged

Don’t forget about AliExpress amazing selection at fantastic prices. Perfect for stocking up hardware.

dedhed

Better off at somewhere like ACE or McGukins

spclark 

S"truth that!

Typically there can be more than one or two thread pitches for common metric fastener diameters.

This chart includes some of the 'in-between' sizes less commonly encountered, with their associated thread pitch specs as well as an approximation of Threads Per Inch that might be useful for some applications.

Crankycrank

Hmmm, at less than 5 cents per piece I have to wonder about the quality of the 304 stainless screws/washers/nuts plus you get several Allen wrenches and tweezers. Just sayin'.