Bicycle Tech/Gear Discussion Thread

Apr 16, 2013 at 04:06 AM

Thanks Craig - yeah I saw that video. I got a laugh at the end...he goes through the whole thing and then tells you that most of the time it doesn't work. I think I'm going to try the dremel saw method. Seems easier. http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwrel&v=_rCcAagyqrA

Jules

Apr 16, 2013 at 04:08 AM

Ugh. I didn't really like the red stem anyway. Balls is right tho...

Brendan Rigby

Apr 16, 2013 at 04:23 AM

@Ryan,

this doesn't help your immediate plight, but if your stem featured 3mm hex bolts instead of torx bolts, you might be able to get ritchey to replace it: http://forums.roadbikereview.com/ritchey/wcs-c-260-stem-review-265010.html#post3903352. at least in may of 2012, the hex bolts are apparently not soft, but too small (3mm v. the usual 4mm) to adequately distribute the load.

have you considered tightening the other bolts to loosen the load on the bolt that is stripped?

try turning in the wrong direction? i partially stripped my derailleur limit screw (scroll up in this thread) and found that, sometimes, it was easier to turn it in the stripped direction after turning the wrench in the opposite direction

eragot

Apr 16, 2013 at 11:10 AM

@Ryan
One way to get a stuck metric allen head bolt out is to use an SAE sized allen key that is slightly bigger (if there is one) and then hammer it in. The head of the bolt being destroyed isn't a big deal. Then you can break the badly behaving bolt out.

The other method is to use a flathead screwdriver and hammer it into the bolt head. Then use large pliers to turn the shaft of the screwdriver to loosen.

I have some bits to drill out screws somewhere.

If you have a Dremel cutting wheel, you can just cut the bolt in the seam of the stem. Just don't hit the steerer tube.

dstokes

Apr 16, 2013 at 01:16 PM

Before you follow Eric's advice (which seems plausible), spray a bunch of WD40 onto/into the bolt and let it soak in overnight. WD40 is very good at penetrating and loosening up frozen threads. This will increase your chances at success in getting it out.

Jules

Apr 16, 2013 at 02:22 PM

Bash it with a rock!

Dan Reiners

Apr 16, 2013 at 02:28 PM

I second the rock bashing!

Another alternative, if you've not gotten it sorted out yet, is try a torx head instead of the hex. The torx head puts the pressure in the corners rather than distributed across the flat sections of the bolt head. That method worked for a few brakepad retention screws that were a pain in the @$$ 2mm size that stripped out if you looked at them funny.

JohnMalcolmson

Apr 16, 2013 at 02:31 PM

I'd go with Ragot and Stokes:- WD40 overnight, then hammer in the allen wrench — sometimes the imperial version of the allen wrench can work too.

Not helpful in this case, but If a bolt is ever sitting proud you can hacksaw (not titanium) across head for flathead screwdriver.

While we're at it, ever want to get an oil stain out of white kit? Soak with WD40 5 mins then dab with paper towel.

Jules

Apr 16, 2013 at 02:36 PM

Rock-bash I say!

vlad

Apr 16, 2013 at 02:45 PM

Just get another bike. That Cannondale discount is pretty good.

Ryan J

Apr 16, 2013 at 06:39 PM

Reporting back. Bought myself a Dremel 200. It was $50 at Home Depot. Kind of annoying for one damn bolt, but I figured it would be a nice tool to have.

I used the small circular grinder to easily cut a new flathead slit in the allen bolt, after which I took the stripped bolt right out using a flathead screwdriver.

Ritchey is sending me a new set of bolts, although I think I'm done with that stem. Thanks for all the advice!

Mark Clifford

Apr 16, 2013 at 06:51 PM

ryan: it starts with a simple bolt removal, but inevitably ends in this...

minidremelwork.jpg

WilliamDC

Apr 16, 2013 at 07:43 PM

ryan is getting into Arts & Crafts!

David Yang

Apr 17, 2013 at 03:20 PM

Steady...steaaaddddyyyy

WilliamDC

Apr 17, 2013 at 06:17 PM

jesus . . . Yang is ON POINT!

i feel like i can just sit back and let the LOLs take care of themselves!

Brendan Rigby

Apr 17, 2013 at 06:52 PM

his ability to recall specific scenes from the simpsons is uncanny. must be doping.

David Yang

Apr 17, 2013 at 07:17 PM

Brendan Rigby said:

his ability to recall specific scenes from the simpsons is uncanny. must be doping.

Open the glove compartment and fetch me my brain medicine

.

Jules

Apr 17, 2013 at 08:50 PM

I find it inspiring.

Jeff Owens

Apr 17, 2013 at 11:10 PM

Anything after season 8 doesn't count.

David Yang

Apr 18, 2013 at 01:35 AM

Jeff Owens said:

Anything after season 8 doesn't count.

This sampling of classics is just from season 9. Oh they can count. They count to potato even.

- Nana nana nana nana LEADER

- "Mountain Dew or crab juice?" "Ewwwww! I'll take a crab juice."

- "Tell me, what do you want out of life?"

"Peas!"

"Yes, we all want peace, but it's always just out of reach!...and what's the best way to get peace?"

"With a knife!"

"Exactly, not with an olive branch, but with the sharp point of a bayonet!"

- "By gum, it worked! I've awakened in the future! 'Mooon pie'? What a time to be alive!"

- "GUY-m? What's a GUY-m?...Ooooh, a GUY-m!"

twoyacks

Apr 18, 2013 at 03:41 AM

what a great idea...

http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/04/gallery/gallery-cannondales-new-synapse-hi-mod-in-detail_282709

twoyacks

Apr 18, 2013 at 03:43 AM

the light I mean...the bike ain't bad either...for plastic of course.

light.jpg

Jeff Owens

Apr 18, 2013 at 12:24 PM

What's a gime?

Ok yeah, season 9 was still pretty good. But I say that's IT! Seriously, as awesome as 3-9 were, you have to say it's been pretty limp for more than half of it's existence.

David Yang

Apr 18, 2013 at 07:07 PM

Jeff Owens said:

What's a gime?

Ok yeah, season 9 was still pretty good. But I say that's IT! Seriously, as awesome as 3-9 were, you have to say it's been pretty limp for more than half of it's existence.

Man, we're not even in the "To-macco" season yet!

I will admit, 9 through current seasons were less than stellar and most only had a few highlight episodes. My biggest complaint was when they digitized the animation process. Seasons 3-5 had some of the most expressive artwork of the series and I attribute it to not being limited by the boring uniformity of what the characters looked like.

/thread highjack over

Jules

Apr 18, 2013 at 07:10 PM

I'm about to start flagging this all as off topic. Simpsons fans, start a thread already

Rick Perner

Apr 18, 2013 at 10:27 PM

Speedplay Zeros

Is it necessary to use(purchase) a Speedplay grease gun to grease them or does a 3 ml syringe (ala the youtube videos illustrating the practice) work just fine?

Jeff Owens

Apr 18, 2013 at 10:48 PM

I have this. Worked well for last 7 years and much cheaper than the speedplay gun. Will screw onto pretty much any Park Tool or Phil Wood tube.

Rick Perner

Apr 19, 2013 at 12:05 AM

Cool. I ordered one at roughly half the cost of the Speedplay grease gun Thanks Jeff

Jules

Apr 19, 2013 at 12:31 AM

Yaks, this one is for you.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/04/bikes-and-tech/the-torqued-wrench-ambrosio-nemesis-wheels-expire-in-the-pro-peloton_281545

Brendan Rigby

Apr 19, 2013 at 12:57 AM

FYI, the syringes work fine but getting the grease into them can be a pain and they only hold about a pedal's worth. also, ensuring they are sealed against the pedal, and not shooting grease everywhere, can be difficult. first time i did it i used super web grease, which is white, and my apartment looked like spiderman had just had his way with it.