Stripped handlebar cinch bolt
#1
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Stripped handlebar cinch bolt
I could never tighten the cinch bolt of the handlebar stem (what's the proper term for it?) enough to keep the handlebar from rotating. Today I couldn't tighten it at all: the bolt has stripped its threads. I tightened it by hand with a regular allen wrench, and I'm not especially strong. Is there a better bolt? Or would that strip the stem's threads?
#2
Sr Member on Sr bikes
Probably the threads on the stem. It may be that the bar’s diameter is jus a bit too small and the clamp just closed on itself. But if that’s not the case, and you don’t want to invest in a new stem…you could get a longer bolt, and put a nut on the other side and tighten it that way.
Dan
Dan
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#3
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Is this a stem that has a bolt and nut? If so you can just replace them. However if the bolt is going into a threaded hole on the stem, then likely the hole is stripped. I doubt I'd try to drill and tap it for a bigger bolt. Just get a new stem.
Make sure as _ForceD_ said to be certain your handlebar diameter matches what the handlebar clamp on the stem is made for.
Make sure as _ForceD_ said to be certain your handlebar diameter matches what the handlebar clamp on the stem is made for.
#4
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The handlebar and stem are the only original parts on this bicycle. Someone attacked it, bending the frame and fork; someone stole the seat and its post; I've replaced all other parts because I've worn them out or broken them - so I hope the handlebar and stem are matched. It's 30 years old - it may have worn out.
The bolt is 8mm x 22mm! The hardware store has 20 and 25. 25 was too long (it's a goose neck with no neck: the female threads are in the stem.) so I'm trying the 20.
The bolt is 8mm x 22mm! The hardware store has 20 and 25. 25 was too long (it's a goose neck with no neck: the female threads are in the stem.) so I'm trying the 20.
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You'd hope they are original, but on a 30 year old bike with previous owners, there is always the possibility that they were replaced. And maybe with incorrect bars.
When I was a kid 50 years ago it seemed I never liked the handlebars that came with some of my bikes and they got new bars right away.
When I was a kid 50 years ago it seemed I never liked the handlebars that came with some of my bikes and they got new bars right away.
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The handlebar and stem are the only original parts on this bicycle. Someone attacked it, bending the frame and fork; someone stole the seat and its post; I've replaced all other parts because I've worn them out or broken them - so I hope the handlebar and stem are matched. It's 30 years old - it may have worn out.
The bolt is 8mm x 22mm! The hardware store has 20 and 25. 25 was too long (it's a goose neck with no neck: the female threads are in the stem.) so I'm trying the 20.
The bolt is 8mm x 22mm! The hardware store has 20 and 25. 25 was too long (it's a goose neck with no neck: the female threads are in the stem.) so I'm trying the 20.
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Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
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The handlebar and stem are the only original parts on this bicycle. Someone attacked it, bending the frame and fork; someone stole the seat and its post; I've replaced all other parts because I've worn them out or broken them - so I hope the handlebar and stem are matched. It's 30 years old - it may have worn out.
The bolt is 8mm x 22mm! The hardware store has 20 and 25. 25 was too long (it's a goose neck with no neck: the female threads are in the stem.) so I'm trying the 20.
The bolt is 8mm x 22mm! The hardware store has 20 and 25. 25 was too long (it's a goose neck with no neck: the female threads are in the stem.) so I'm trying the 20.
Just but a new stem. They are not expensive.
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I'm a minimalist and frugal: I like to make things do. The handlebars have been bent at least 3 times: once in the attack mentioned in the original message, once when someone jumped the curb and drove into it, once when a motorist drove into me, throwing the bicycle and me 20 feet into the air. It's a reminder. I'm not going to win a race or a beauty contest.
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
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The handlebar and stem are the only original parts on this bicycle. Someone attacked it, bending the frame and fork; someone stole the seat and its post; I've replaced all other parts because I've worn them out or broken them - so I hope the handlebar and stem are matched. It's 30 years old - it may have worn out.
The bolt is 8mm x 22mm! The hardware store has 20 and 25. 25 was too long (it's a goose neck with no neck: the female threads are in the stem.) so I'm trying the 20.
The bolt is 8mm x 22mm! The hardware store has 20 and 25. 25 was too long (it's a goose neck with no neck: the female threads are in the stem.) so I'm trying the 20.
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#11
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...I'm a minimalist and frugal: I like to make things do. The handlebars have been bent at least 3 times: once in the attack mentioned in the original message, once when someone jumped the curb and drove into it, once when a motorist drove into me, throwing the bicycle and me 20 feet into the air. It's a reminder. I'm not going to win a race or a beauty contest.
#12
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It's not critical. I kept riding my bike without it. It just keeps the handlebars from rotating. I can always keep my hands on top.
Perhaps with better tools than I have. It's thick and hardened steel, not like cheap machine screws. And it's hard to hold on to.
Possessed by me.
Homeless Depot has 22mm. I found the last one in an adjacent bin.
Perhaps with better tools than I have. It's thick and hardened steel, not like cheap machine screws. And it's hard to hold on to.
Possessed by me.
Homeless Depot has 22mm. I found the last one in an adjacent bin.
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Rotating handlebars are seldom considered to be a good thing. I fail to see how you can keep your “hands on the top” and operate the brakes.
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
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Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#14
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I didn't write that it was a good thing, just that it's not critical.
I have levers that I squeeze, which I can do without applying torque to the bar.
I have levers that I squeeze, which I can do without applying torque to the bar.