The alignment has drifted such that when my front wheel is looking straight ahead, my handlebar is not perpendicular to the wheel.
How do I fix this at home?
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1If you have a threadless fork (look at the picure): bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/51949/… If you have a threaded fork: bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/46161/… just turn it instead of raising.– StefanSCommented Aug 23, 2019 at 11:11
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Is there an easy way for me to see which one I have? I seriously know very very little about bicycles. I only know how to ride one.– Cycle_HealthCommented Aug 23, 2019 at 11:31
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4Yes, take a look at the pictures in the links and compare. Wont get easier than that.– ErikCommented Aug 23, 2019 at 11:37
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I have looked at both images more than one time and compared to my bicycle. I can not tell which one corresponds to my bicycle and I do not understand the instructions. I have tried to undo something that is near my handlebars but it will not undo. I own one of this bicycle, hopefully someone will check this link and then tell me what I should do?: halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/…– Cycle_HealthCommented Aug 23, 2019 at 20:11
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I had to go in store and ask about this. The reason I could not find the screw is because it is smartly concealed underneath a flap. A flap that I did not know was there. Thanks for NOTHING, everyone else who posted an answer and/or comment on here. Yes, honestly. Thanks. For. NOTHING.– Cycle_HealthCommented Sep 2, 2019 at 12:07
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2 Answers
Nowadays most bikes have a 'threadless' headset. The steerer tube of the fork protrudes out of the frame's head tube and the stem clamps onto it. The stem serves to hold the whole system together and apply a little pre-load force onto the bearings to remove any play or movement. Without this pre-load the bearings will become damaged as the fork rocks in the frame slightly as you go over bumps.
If you have a threadless headset and your stem has rotated on the steerer tube, the chances are the clamp bolts are too loose and you have lost the bearing pre-load.
It's not too difficult to re-adjust the stem (and re-align the stem and wheel at the same time). There are many video's on YouTube that show you how to do it. Here's a reasonably good one.
If you don't feel happy doing this adjustment a local bicycle repair shop will do it in under 10 minutes.
If you have an old style threaded headset, the stem is simply secured by a bolt in the top of it. The process is fairly fool-proof.
answered Aug 23, 2019 at 15:47
The bike in your link appears to have an "old fashioned" threaded fork.
With the appropriate sized Allen wrench, loosen the bolt through the top of the stem, maybe 2 turns. Then see if you can twist the stem. If it's still stiff unscrew the bolt another turn or two (so that the head is "proud" of the stem), then give the bolt a modest whack with a hammer, to knock the "wedge" inside the stem loose. (When you do this you'll see the bolt drop down a bit.)
answered Aug 25, 2019 at 14:26
