Handlebars won't steer front wheel - still salvageable?

[Alorel]

Hi, folks. I bought a cheap secondhand bike as I only need it for a few months and I'm having some trouble assembling it (it's also my first time assembling a boxed bike so I have no idea what I'm doing, nor the proper terminology as you'll soon come to realise).

One of the first things I noticed when I unboxed the bike was that the bit that connects the handlebars to the rest of the bike was split at the bottom, but, as this is my first time assembling a bike, didn't give it much thought:

The problem is that when I turn the handlebars the wheel doesn't turn at all, even though I screwed the top bit as tight as it would go. When I hold the bottom bit of the tube with the bolt in it and turn the handlebars, the bit I'm holding doesn't turn, just the upper part of the tube.

Am I just being thick about something that's easily fixable or am I better off just getting a refund?

 

[alecstilleyedye]

pull the fork out of the frame to check for damage...

 

[Diggs]

The split (if you're referring to the stem wedge - see below) is fine. When you tighten the "top bit" (the quill expander bolt ) , the stem wedge should be drawn up inside the inside of the fork, this (and the angle of the join) is what holds it to the fork, assuming as @alecstilleyedye suggest the fork is intact and reaches the stem .
Have a look and make sure all is working by checking the bolt and wedge turn freely outside of the fork.

 

[screenman]

Please be careful.

 

[vickster]

Take it to a bike shop?

 

[screenman]

Take it to a bike shop?

I was going to suggest something like that, but decided not to as I have been shot down for doing so before.

 

[midlife]

The way the handlebar stem is attached to the fork us by a wedge...

Link...


http://www.madegood.org/bikes/repair/adjust-handlebars-attached-to-a-threaded-steerer/

Pic..

Good old Sheldon

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/handsup.html


Beaten to it lol....

Shaun

 

[vickster]

I was going to suggest something like that, but decided not to as I have been shot down for doing so before.

Seems sensible where the safety of the rider and potentially others is a consideration

 

[mjr]

Depends how much you like the bike. Maybe it needs assembling correctly, possibly either stem or forks need replacing with ones that measure similar at key points.

 

[midlife]

I guess it must have fitted at some point as the cables are all attached

Shaun

 

[Alorel]

Wow.

1. I was expecting to check the thread tomorrow to see one or two replies tops, but you folks respond quickly - thanks a lot!
2. One of the first points I made was that I had no idea what I'm doing, but I didn't realise this was the extent of my cluelessness - when I bought the bike I thought the only thing I'd need is a good ol' wrench. I'll go buy a hex key so I can properly tighten the quill expander bolt and see if that does the trick.

 

[Diggs]

That's excellent @Alorel see how it goes. make sure it's secure before you go for a ride, and check it hasn't loosened after a while.
Youtube is by far the best teaching tool I have found for repairs etc. but ask if you have any questions. The people on here are very helpful.
The most important thing is to enjoy riding it!

 

[screenman]

I would have thought more important, stay safe.

 

[screenman]

If you were local I would suggest you pop it around to my place.

 

[Milkfloat]

If you have tightened the big nut very hard, then you will need to loosen it off again - not too tight and not too loose.