Anyone know about bikes?

[LordThing]

Just bought a cheapo mountain bike ($100). Anyway, the handlebars are constantly loose and the teeth seem worn on it. I tried to tighten it down with an allan wrench, but it still slips while I ride. I guess I put too much pressure on it. So, what do you do in this situation?

I know most handlebars are of the same design, and I plan on returning this bike for another one tomorrow, but what if it occurs again? How do you guys make sure it is tight enough?

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

You can get some small padding like stuff, usually black or any color to match your paint. You put that between the metal and so it can be tightened.

 

[CrazyPerson]

what kinda mountain bike?

 

[Feldenak]

Paging Dr. Fausto1!

 

[LordThing]

Originally posted by: CrazyPerson
what kinda mountain bike?

It's this bike. Or one like it.

 

[Anubis]

1st prob is you got it at walmart

 

[LordThing]

Originally posted by: Anubis
1st prob is you got it at walmart

Thank you for the "Better than thou" statement. It really wasn't me purchasing. I was talked into it with the GF and she bought them from there.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Well, considering that the metal on this bike is softer than butter on a hot July afternoon, you are going to have all kinds of problems. My advice. Return it and get you money back.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider
Well, considering that the metal on this bike is softer than butter on a hot July afternoon, you are going to have all kinds of problems. My advice. Return it and get you money back.

Seconded. Department store bike are the world's biggest POS's. A 10 year-old used "real" mountain bike is a far better investment. PM me or post more in this thread for bike advice. I've been a serious cyclist for 14 years and worked in a few shops along the way to boot.

 

[Armitage]

Another vote for returning the crappy department store bike. Huffy iss the worst thing to ever happen to cycling. Millions of people owe their sole cycling memories to miserable expereinces on crappy department store bikes, never to find the joy of riding a good. bike.

But if you decide not to go that route, what you need is a shim. Cut a piece out of a beer can, loosen up that bolt and slip the piece of beer can in between the clamp and the handlebar. Now retighten. If it still slips, cut a bigger shim. They're cheap.

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: LordThing

Originally posted by: Anubis
1st prob is you got it at walmart

Thank you for the "Better than thou" statement. It really wasn't me purchasing. I was talked into it with the GF and she bought them from there.

Anubis's statement has merit.

WalMart cannot assemble bikes. Much higher risk of failure. I've heard of lost teeth and such from dept. store bikes. Parts falling off... while riding.

 

[Brutuskend]

Originally posted by: Fausto1

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider
Well, considering that the metal on this bike is softer than butter on a hot July afternoon, you are going to have all kinds of problems. My advice. Return it and get you money back.

Seconded. Department store bike are the world's biggest POS's. A 10 year-old used "real" mountain bike is a far better investment. PM me or post more in this thread for bike advice. I've been a serious cyclist for 14 years and worked in a few shops along the way to boot.

Agreed.

How do you guys make sure it is tight enough?

Take it to a REAL bike shop and have it tuned up. If you MUST keep the P.O.S. Dept. store bike.

<-----15+ years working in bike shops, and close to 40 years working on bikes.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: LordThing

Originally posted by: Anubis
1st prob is you got it at walmart

Thank you for the "Better than thou" statement. It really wasn't me purchasing. I was talked into it with the GF and she bought them from there.

wasent intended to bet that. fact is. as stated below is that they are crap. as for fixing it i dont know. id just return it and but one at a bike store. itll cost you a lil more but itll be worth it

 

[Fiveohhh]

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider
Well, considering that the metal on this bike is softer than butter on a hot July afternoon, you are going to have all kinds of problems. My advice. Return it and get you money back.

 

[Goosemaster]

Make sure to use grease where metal touches metal

 

[LordThing]

Again, since it's not my dime, I don't have place to bitch. All I can do is return it for another one. Maybe I can get one unassembled or such that way I know it's my fault if things are not in where they need to be.

 

[dman]

Get this.

And then start saving for the rest of the good parts. ;D

Seriously, best 'valid' suggestion was mentioned above... get some kind of {rubber} gasket and fit it between handlebar and stem, then tighten.

I doubt another bike (same type) will be any better, but, hey, do it anyway. Maybe if enough people keep returning them they'll make 'em better.

 

[LordThing]

Originally posted by: dman
Get this.

And then start saving for the rest of the good parts. ;D

Seriously, best 'valid' suggestion was mentioned above... get some kind of {rubber} gasket and fit it between handlebar and stem, then tighten.

I doubt another bike (same type) will be any better, but, hey, do it anyway. Maybe if enough people keep returning them they'll make 'em better.

Probably what I am going to try. Another walmart bike is probably not going to do me any better. And switching it for a huffy or something else is probably not going to make me more happy. Besides, I really don't feel like strapping the bike back onto my car just to take it down there. Alot of hassle. I do need to look over this bike a bit too... the chain obviously was not assembled properly cause I cant even get it on 3rd gear and it slips heavily when shifting. The rear breaks are very loose and the handlebars are obviously just crap because the teeth seem worn down.

 

[tkdkid]

A decent, new bike is going to be at least $600. You may be able to get better deals on used ones. I bought a Trek 820 as my first real mountain bike, it was about $300.

 

[Fiveohhh]

I don't know If I'd use a rubber gasket there especially if your a hard rider. If the rubber starts to rip a bit your gonna have the same problem. I'd find a metal shim, of if possible you may be able to get a new stem and bars, but not sure what kind is on that bike and if it is going to be easily replaced by a decent one.

 

[Armitage]

Yea, don't bother with a rubber shim ... just use a piece of tin.

 

[Stark]

This is the AT equivalent of that bike.

You should return it ASAP and get something from a local bike shop. The cheapest thing they sell at a LBS will be better than what you bought.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Too bad you don't live near Sacramento.

 

[Moonbeam]

What the hell does Sacramento have to do with anything. I go there often.

Hayabusarider: Well, considering that the metal on this bike is softer than butter on a hot July afternoon, you are going to have all kinds of problems. My advice. Return it and get you money back.
------------------------------
Oh man, you didn't say that when I talked about the fantastic mountain bike I got at K-Mart for 5 big ones. I got front suspension and 21 speed plus rear suspension all for fifty dollars marked down from two hundred cause somebody brought it back. They had a ton of those. Are you telling me it's going to melt on a hot day or something? I'm not going to be happy if I have to walk home. Return it and get my money back. GEEZ a little late now.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

I had a guy at my work fall through on this.