Help - bike is sending me up the wall

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

vienna · 01-27-25, 05:38 PM

Glad to be of help; I hope you find a good resolution to your problem; I don't about what its like out your way, but Temu doesn't really have a good reputation here in the US for backing up their products sold on their site...

<O>

Sean C · 01-27-25, 10:32 PM

Sounds like you're talking about what's called a quill stem. The allen bolt should pull the splined part toward the main body of the stem. The angled ends of the splined part and the main body push the splined part against the inside of the steer tube. The steer tube should indeed be smooth inside.

It does sound like something is defective. You can really crank down on those bolts without doing any damage, but you shouldn't have to make it extremely tight to keep it from slipping. As others have said, pictures would help a lot.

BTW, I work at a bicycle shop. Assembling and adjusting a trike is no easy task, even for a skilled mechanic. They're very finicky. Your best option would be to take it to a local bike shop and have them look it over. Our base fee for assembling a bike is US$110, but we'd probably charge a little more for a trike.

01-27-25, 12:42 PM	#1
Catfish Dipped Squirrel Operative Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: ..where the ocean meets the sky Posts: 17,805 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	#2
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 191,014 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	#3
Eichhörnchen Starte das Auto Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Fens Posts: 17,475 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	#4
vienna Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anywhere but the here & now... Posts: 7,723 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	#5
Eichhörnchen Starte das Auto Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: The Fens Posts: 17,475 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Thanks, mate - found a few which suggest there's a fault with the parts __________________

01-27-25, 05:38 PM	#6
vienna Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anywhere but the here & now... Posts: 7,723 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	Glad to be of help; I hope you find a good resolution to your problem; I don't about what its like out your way, but Temu doesn't really have a good reputation here in the US for backing up their products sold on their site... <O> __________________ __________________________________________________ __

01-27-25, 10:32 PM	#7
Sean C Grey Wolf Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 988 Downloads: 16 Uploads: 2	Sounds like you're talking about what's called a quill stem. The allen bolt should pull the splined part toward the main body of the stem. The angled ends of the splined part and the main body push the splined part against the inside of the steer tube. The steer tube should indeed be smooth inside. It does sound like something is defective. You can really crank down on those bolts without doing any damage, but you shouldn't have to make it extremely tight to keep it from slipping. As others have said, pictures would help a lot. BTW, I work at a bicycle shop. Assembling and adjusting a trike is no easy task, even for a skilled mechanic. They're very finicky. Your best option would be to take it to a local bike shop and have them look it over. Our base fee for assembling a bike is US$110, but we'd probably charge a little more for a trike. __________________ If you have a question about celestial navigation ... ask me! Celestial Navigation Spreadsheet