how do i fix a loose handlebar?

Question

where are the stem bolts?

Answer 1

What kind of bike do you have? Do your handlebars just wiggle or do they spin around freely? If they just wiggle, there should be two bolts at the center of your handlebars that clamp your stem around the handlebar. Just tighten them up and you should be fine. If your handlebars actually spin around freely, your handlebars are fine, but your stem is loose. You then have to figure out if you have a threadless or threaded headset. Go to http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ha-i.html#headset for pictures of a threaded and threadless headset.

If you have a threadless headset, loosen the top cap and tighten the pinch bolts that connect the stem to the steerer tube. Tighten the first bolt and cap back on and you should be set.

A threaded headset is harder to tighten. You need to loosen the lock nuts, and tighten the stem with a bolt in the top of the stem (likely covered by a rubber dust cap). For a threaded headset it might be best to have a local bike shop do it for you.

In either case, a good bike shop should tighten it up for free, as it is a very quick job if nothing else is wrong.

Answer 2

very easy. do you know where the stem is? look at the center of your handlebars. theres another bar that is attached perpendicular to the handlebars which attaches to the frame. depending on what brand of bike you have, the stem may say "mongoose" or "schwinn".

ok, looking at the bike from the front, you will see two bolts at the end of the stem facing you. this is what you need to tighten up for that handlebar problem. they should get cranked down pretty good, but dont put all your weight on them.

that should fix your loose bars. good luck

Answer 3

Position it first then tighten the stem bolt(s) that hold it. Newer stems use allen wrenches (metric) while older or cheaper ones might use a regular wrench.

Answer 4

tighten it up.