Help - bike is sending me up the wall

Eichhörnchen · 01-27-25, 12:33 PM

I've had to assemble a flat-packed bike (a trike) - shouldn't have been a problem for me even though I know next to nothing about bikes.

Problem is the handlebars. They came with a plastic guard over the spline which I took off, also a thin metal shim behind the spline which I also took off. This following the advice of another purchaser who'd left a review saying that the instruction book was completely inadequate for anyone lacking engineering experience, so he gave this advice freely and what's more offered to write up a proper assembly sheet for them (Temu).

Well I then slid the handlebar stem into the cycle's frame post, adjusted for height, then tightened the top as firmly as I could with the large allen key provided.

It tightened up as expected - but then as soon as I turned the handlebars I found them to be loose - the front wheel pointing straight ahead - the handlebars not gripping. When I removed them again and shone a light into the frame post it was completely smooth inside. Now surely there should be vertical grooves in there to engage with those on the handlebar spline? Is this a defective product??

Catfish · 01-27-25, 12:42 PM

Hard to say without photos, but I think this plastic bushing with the metal sleeve should (or whatever this is called in english) over the corrugated/striated(?) middle of handlebar belongs exactly there to fit to the diameter of the handle bar when the allen key is being tightened. There are several systems on the market so I do not know which exact one you have –

Jimbuna · 01-27-25, 01:23 PM

Take a couple of pictures Glynn.

Eichhörnchen · 01-27-25, 01:50 PM

Yes I'd best do that. I've seen another similar bike being put together on Youtube and I was doing everything right - all you have to do (supposedly) is tighten the handlebars with the allen key. Doesn't work

Photos tomorrow

vienna · 01-27-25, 03:25 PM

A quick suggestion: try looking on YouTube for videos for that particular bike/trike brand; try searching by brand name, model name/number etc.; I have often found videos for specific products that have good info and tips on the products including, sometimes, ways to overcome assembly problems...

<O>

Eichhörnchen · 01-27-25, 04:39 PM

Thanks, mate - found a few which suggest there's a fault with the parts

01-27-25, 12:33 PM	#1
Eichhörnchen Starte das Auto Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Fens Posts: 17,372 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Help - bike is sending me up the wall I've had to assemble a flat-packed bike (a trike) - shouldn't have been a problem for me even though I know next to nothing about bikes. Problem is the handlebars. They came with a plastic guard over the spline which I took off, also a thin metal shim behind the spline which I also took off. This following the advice of another purchaser who'd left a review saying that the instruction book was completely inadequate for anyone lacking engineering experience, so he gave this advice freely and what's more offered to write up a proper assembly sheet for them (Temu). Well I then slid the handlebar stem into the cycle's frame post, adjusted for height, then tightened the top as firmly as I could with the large allen key provided. It tightened up as expected - but then as soon as I turned the handlebars I found them to be loose - the front wheel pointing straight ahead - the handlebars not gripping. When I removed them again and shone a light into the frame post it was completely smooth inside. Now surely there should be vertical grooves in there to engage with those on the handlebar spline? Is this a defective product?? __________________

01-27-25, 12:42 PM	#2
Catfish Dipped Squirrel Operative Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: ..where the ocean meets the sky Posts: 17,765 Downloads: 38 Uploads: 0	Hard to say without photos, but I think this plastic bushing with the metal sleeve should (or whatever this is called in english) over the corrugated/striated(?) middle of handlebar belongs exactly there to fit to the diameter of the handle bar when the allen key is being tightened. There are several systems on the market so I do not know which exact one you have – __________________ >^..^<*)))>{ All generalizations are wrong.

01-27-25, 01:23 PM	#3
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,473 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Take a couple of pictures Glynn. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

01-27-25, 01:50 PM	#4
Eichhörnchen Starte das Auto Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Fens Posts: 17,372 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Yes I'd best do that. I've seen another similar bike being put together on Youtube and I was doing everything right - all you have to do (supposedly) is tighten the handlebars with the allen key. Doesn't work Photos tomorrow __________________

01-27-25, 03:25 PM	#5
vienna Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anywhere but the here & now... Posts: 7,711 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	A quick suggestion: try looking on YouTube for videos for that particular bike/trike brand; try searching by brand name, model name/number etc.; I have often found videos for specific products that have good info and tips on the products including, sometimes, ways to overcome assembly problems... <O> __________________ __________________________________________________ __

01-27-25, 04:39 PM	#6
Eichhörnchen Starte das Auto Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Fens Posts: 17,372 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Thanks, mate - found a few which suggest there's a fault with the parts __________________