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


Threaded Reinstallation
#1
I'm refurbishing an old road bike and had taken everything apart to paint. I followed the "How To Overhaul a Threaded Headset" tutorial for headset removal without issue, and now that I'm putting it back together, the bolt to tighten the handlebar stem refuses to do just that - tighten. Is there a certain way I should be inserting the wedge and stem? Is there a certain distance the wedge should be up the bolt? Even if the stem is fully inserted into the head tube (which is not its original position), I turn the bolt and it just continues to spin.

I've included pictures of the stem and wedge, hoping that will help. This is the first time I've done this, so it's entirely possible I'm missing something obvious.

Thanks!
  Reply
#2
The "wedge" at the bottom should be the other way up.

When tightening the bolt the wedge slides across the other half and grips the inside of the steerer tube.

See:-
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/handsup.html
Ride hard or ride home alone!
  Reply
#3
I knew it had to be something simple (and embarrassing) - thanks so much! I've already got it back together. Smile
  Reply
#4
Don't feel left out been there done that Wink
Good maintenance to your Bike, can make it like the wheels are, true and smooth!
  Reply
#5
I like simple answers.
How do you get "smileys" in your posts?
Ride hard or ride home alone!
  Reply
#6
e.g. : ) (without the space) results in Smile
also: there is no need to be embarrassed, we all (well at least I and obviously Bill) have installed (or tried to install) stuff the wrong way. That is why we know some things: learning through mistakes. You are here so that you don't have to make those yourself...
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
12,175
01-18-2015, 12:16 PM
Last Post: nfmisso
 
9,091
10-14-2014, 04:51 PM
Last Post: Painkiller
 
10,491
03-01-2014, 10:53 AM
Last Post: jid
 
26,562
02-15-2014, 06:22 PM
Last Post: nfmisso
 
8,317
09-13-2013, 12:48 PM
Last Post: Painkiller
 
14,600
08-21-2013, 06:53 PM
Last Post: Texcards
 
16,392
05-28-2013, 09:05 PM
Last Post: holdennb

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
First long distance ride..
06-19-2025 09:06 PM
How often check or change mechanical dis...
06-19-2025 08:59 PM
Pre Ride Food Intake
06-19-2025 07:22 AM
New Member
06-19-2025 07:20 AM
Attack // Force tire style narrow front ...
06-19-2025 12:27 AM
Pros & Cons of presta valve vs schrader ...
06-19-2025 12:16 AM
1987 Tommaso Alloy lugged frame
06-18-2025 09:05 PM
Thoughts on paceline riding
06-18-2025 09:56 AM
Wearable Fitness Trackers
06-18-2025 08:23 AM
1999 Schwinn Searcher LE
06-17-2025 11:57 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. GirishH
18 posts
no avatar 2. Flowrider
17 posts
no avatar 3. rydabent
16 posts
no avatar 4. Criminal
16 posts
no avatar 5. SPINMAN
13 posts