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

New: Take Part in the new April's Giveaway for a Chance to Win the Euybike S4 Pro Max ebike worth $1299


New bike handlebar independence and thightness
#1
Hi, I just bought a new road bike. I tried to assemble it. And everything was alright until I realized I cannot adjust the handlebar. I tried to tighten it. One way, the other way - nothing happened. I took it out and put back the bar. Then I realized I must have damaged the rubber that stays between the handlebar and the bolt. So when I installed the handlebar back on it was moving independently of the front tire. Since I cant upload picture from my phone I'll do it later. The bike is GMC Denali road bike.
  Reply
#2
It's a little hard to understand what you're doing based on your description. I'm guessing you are trying to tighten the bolt in the top of the stem in order to "tighten the handlebars". If so, that's not what that bolt does.

Watch this: http://bikeride.com/adjust-threadless-headset/
It may help you understand what does what on a modern headset, stem.
  Reply
#3
Yes, that's exactly what I was doing. But I wanted to adjust the height, because it was falling all the way down when I put some pressure on the handlebars.
  Reply
#4
If your stem has a bolt on the top and also two bolts on the back side (facing the rider) then you have a "threadless stem". http://jail.sine.com/sheldonbrown/sheldonbrown.com/images/headset-threadless.jpg

If it just has the single top bolt, then you have a "threaded" or "quill" stem. Depending on which model bike you have, you could have either type of stem. But you have to know which it is as the procedure is completely different.

I was assuming you have threadless because you mentioned the "rubber that stays between the handlebar and the bolt". Try to post pictures if you can or at least be a lot more detailed in your description. But be careful, obviously it is important this doesn't slip or it could cause a crash.
  Reply
#5
Googling up GMC Denali:

http://www.target.com/p/gmc-men-s-denali-700c-28-road-bike-yellow/-/A-11894039?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=%7C11894039&CPNG=Sports&kpid=11894039&LID=PA&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=11894039

This is not a threadles headset.

http://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_st-z.html#stem

Scroll down to stem. If you cannot tighten it clockwise with the top bolt, most likely you have a a wedge, and sounds like you unscrewed it and it dropped down into the head tube. Try turning the bike upside down and see if it comes out, look from bottom too. Otherwise you will need to get the top head nuts off and than retrieve it.
Never Give Up!!!
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
23,145
09-10-2015, 01:20 PM
Last Post: nfmisso
 
15,818
12-15-2013, 06:13 PM
Last Post: 1FJEF
 
11,369
06-17-2013, 05:25 AM
Last Post: capner2112
 
38,530
10-22-2012, 11:01 PM
Last Post: nfmisso

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
1987 Tommaso Alloy lugged frame
Today 10:06 AM
Food after late training ride
Yesterday 02:48 PM
Injury Recovery
Yesterday 08:20 AM
RECOMMENDATION
04-24-2025 04:24 PM
New Member
04-24-2025 03:31 PM
2011 GT Tachyon upgrade/mod
04-24-2025 08:45 AM
Doctors are Prescribing Cycling
04-23-2025 09:50 PM
What was your first bicycle?
04-23-2025 09:17 PM
New Rider Here — Momo + Viribus = Ready ...
04-23-2025 09:15 PM
The great thing about trikes
04-23-2025 03:47 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
24 posts
no avatar 2. SPINMAN
14 posts
no avatar 3. meamoantonio
13 posts
no avatar 4. Flowrider
12 posts
no avatar 5. Painkiller
11 posts