Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.


Handlebars won't turn wheel
#1
Hey guys, I have a quick question. When I'm riding my bike, I can't turn the wheel when I turn the handlebar. Like I can't steer at all. Does anyone know how to fix this? Thanks.
  Reply
#2
Sounds like you need to tighten up the stem bolt.
Have fun and just enjoy the ride
  Reply
#3
(03-29-2013, 04:48 PM)nathanlink169 Wrote:  Hey guys, I have a quick question. When I'm riding my bike, I can't turn the wheel when I turn the handlebar. Like I can't steer at all. Does anyone know how to fix this? Thanks.
You mean the bars will turn both ways but the front wheel does not?
  Reply
#4
(03-30-2013, 12:03 PM)1FJEF Wrote:  
(03-29-2013, 04:48 PM)nathanlink169 Wrote:  Hey guys, I have a quick question. When I'm riding my bike, I can't turn the wheel when I turn the handlebar. Like I can't steer at all. Does anyone know how to fix this? Thanks.
You mean the bars will turn both ways but the front wheel does not?

Yep. The bars turn unrestricted but the wheel doesn't. It's not locked in place, it moves interdependently from the handlebars.
  Reply
#5
FYI

http://sheldonbrown.com/handsup.html

The expender or wedge is held in place by a long bolt tightened at the top of the stem.
Never Give Up!!!
  Reply
#6
If it won't tighten, just spins, the expander "nut" has come undone, pull the stem & check or turn the bike upside down & see if you can get it to re engage.
  Reply
#7
I need help turning when I turn my handle the wheel is weird and is going the wrong way can anyone help me


Attached Files Image(s)
   
  Reply
#8
Welcome, Thomas. Can you post a better picture of the bike handles especially the stem? Depending on your bicycle, a rubber/plastic cap might be hiding the bolt underneath that you will need to tighten. Good luck.:-)
  Reply
#9
The stem bolt sounds like the problem child here for sure, as they said above
  Reply
#10
Hello Thomas, I hope you have been able to figure out your issue. In this picture, I kind of see where the bolt would be. It's where the cables are crossing and head to main part of the bike. Looks like you have a plastic cover over the bolt. You can usually pop that cover and then adjust the bolt. Try it and let us know how it goes..:-)

(06-26-2023, 01:42 PM)Thomas M Wrote:  I need help turning when I turn my handle the wheel is weird and is going the wrong way can anyone help me
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Our new review format – we'd like your f...
Today 06:59 AM
How Bad Are E-bikes By You?
Yesterday 08:55 PM
Which one should I pick?
Yesterday 08:09 PM
Chain skips under heavy load when pedall...
Yesterday 07:32 PM
New rider
Yesterday 07:07 PM
Are 26" really dying out?
10-18-2026 07:38 PM
Using ChatGPT for training
10-18-2026 07:32 PM
2026 Garmin Edge 1050 - warranty
10-18-2026 09:34 AM
Catastrophic bicycle failures
10-16-2026 01:36 AM
Hello from Jasleen – getting more into c...
10-16-2026 01:27 AM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Flowrider
28 posts
no avatar 2. GirishH
23 posts
no avatar 3. Jesper
14 posts
no avatar 4. Sidewinder
12 posts
no avatar 5. SPINMAN
11 posts