Mastering the Sideways Turn: A Comprehensive Guide to Rotating Your Bike Handlebars
Turning your bike handlebars sideways might seem like a simple task, but it’s crucial for various reasons, from storage and transportation to performing certain tricks and maneuvers. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just starting out, understanding the proper technique and potential issues is essential. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, covering different types of handlebars, necessary tools (if any), safety precautions, and troubleshooting tips. Let’s dive in!
Why Turn Your Bike Handlebars Sideways?
Before we get into the how-to, let’s consider the why. There are several compelling reasons to rotate your handlebars:
* **Storage:** In tight spaces like apartments, garages, or bike storage rooms, turning the handlebars sideways can significantly reduce the bike’s width, allowing you to fit it more easily into available space. This is especially helpful when storing multiple bikes.
* **Transportation:** When transporting your bike in a car, on a bike rack, or on public transportation, rotating the handlebars can make it easier to fit and more secure. It prevents the handlebars from sticking out and potentially getting damaged or causing damage to other objects.
* **Security:** While not a primary security measure, turning the handlebars can deter casual theft by making the bike slightly more awkward to ride away quickly. It’s a small hurdle, but every little bit helps.
* **Maintenance:** Sometimes, rotating the handlebars provides better access to certain parts of the bike for maintenance or repairs.
* **Tricks and Stunts:** For some bike tricks and stunts, a specific handlebar position is required, which might involve turning them sideways or at unusual angles.
Understanding Different Types of Handlebars
The method for turning your handlebars might vary slightly depending on the type of handlebars you have. Here’s a brief overview of common handlebar types:
* **Flat Bars:** These are common on mountain bikes and hybrid bikes. They are typically straight or slightly curved and offer good control and leverage.
* **Riser Bars:** Similar to flat bars but with a slight rise in the middle, providing a more upright riding position and improved comfort.
* **Drop Bars:** These are commonly found on road bikes and offer multiple hand positions for varying terrain and riding styles. They curve downwards and forwards, providing aerodynamic advantages.
* **Cruiser Bars:** These are wide, swept-back handlebars found on cruiser bikes, offering a relaxed and upright riding position.
* **BMX Bars:** These are typically wide and reinforced to withstand the stresses of BMX riding and tricks.
* **Ape Hangers:** Very tall handlebars, common on choppers and some cruiser bikes. Due to their extreme height, turning them sideways might not be the primary concern.
Tools You Might Need
In most cases, turning your handlebars sideways doesn’t require any tools. However, if your stem (the component that connects the handlebars to the fork) is particularly tight or if you need to adjust the stem, you might need the following:
* **Allen Wrenches (Hex Keys):** A set of Allen wrenches in various sizes is essential for loosening and tightening stem bolts. Most stems use bolts that require a 4mm, 5mm, or 6mm Allen wrench. Check the bolts on your stem to determine the correct size.
* **Torque Wrench (Optional but Recommended):** A torque wrench is useful for ensuring that you tighten the stem bolts to the correct torque specification. This prevents over-tightening, which can damage the bolts or the stem, and under-tightening, which can lead to the handlebars slipping.
* **Grease:** A small amount of grease can be applied to the stem bolts to prevent corrosion and ensure smooth tightening and loosening.
* **Clean Rag:** To wipe away any dirt or grease from the handlebars and stem.
Step-by-Step Guide to Turning Your Bike Handlebars Sideways
Here’s a detailed guide on how to turn your bike handlebars sideways. This method applies to most common handlebar types, but always exercise caution and adapt the steps as needed for your specific bike.
**Step 1: Preparation**
* **Find a Safe and Stable Area:** Choose a flat, stable surface to work on. Make sure there’s enough space around the bike to move freely.
* **Inspect the Stem:** Examine the stem to identify the bolts that need to be loosened. Most stems have two or four bolts that clamp the handlebars in place. Some stems also have a bolt on the top cap that adjusts the headset tension (the tightness of the steering mechanism). Do NOT loosen the top cap bolt unless you’re planning to adjust the headset tension.
* **Gather Your Tools (If Needed):** If the stem bolts are tight or if you anticipate needing to adjust the stem, gather the necessary Allen wrenches and other tools.
**Step 2: Loosening the Stem Bolts**
* **Identify the Correct Allen Wrench:** Use the appropriate Allen wrench to loosen the stem bolts. Make sure the wrench fits snugly into the bolt head to avoid stripping the bolt.
* **Loosen the Bolts Gradually:** Loosen the stem bolts in a cross pattern (if there are four bolts) or alternatingly (if there are two bolts). Loosen each bolt a little at a time, rather than completely loosening one bolt before moving on to the next. This ensures even pressure distribution and prevents binding.
* **Loosen, Don’t Remove:** Loosen the bolts enough so that the handlebars can rotate freely, but don’t remove them completely. Leaving the bolts partially threaded will prevent the handlebars from falling out and potentially damaging the cables or the frame.
**Step 3: Rotating the Handlebars**
* **Grip the Handlebars Firmly:** Hold the handlebars with both hands and gently rotate them to the desired position. Typically, you’ll want to turn them 90 degrees to one side or the other, so they are parallel to the frame.
* **Be Mindful of Cables and Hoses:** As you rotate the handlebars, pay attention to the brake cables, shifter cables, and any hydraulic hoses. Make sure they are not getting pinched, kinked, or stretched excessively. If the cables or hoses are too tight, you might need to adjust their routing or loosen the stem bolts a bit more to allow for more freedom of movement.
* **Avoid Twisting Cables:** Do not forcefully twist the cables or hoses. If they are resisting movement, stop and reassess the situation. Forcing them can damage the cables or hoses and compromise your braking or shifting performance.
**Step 4: Tightening the Stem Bolts**
* **Position the Handlebars Correctly:** Once the handlebars are in the desired position, make sure they are centered and aligned correctly with the front wheel. Use visual cues to ensure they are straight and not tilted to one side.
* **Tighten the Bolts Gradually:** Tighten the stem bolts in the same cross pattern or alternating manner that you used to loosen them. Tighten each bolt a little at a time, ensuring even pressure distribution.
* **Use a Torque Wrench (Recommended):** If you have a torque wrench, use it to tighten the stem bolts to the manufacturer’s specified torque. The torque specification is usually printed on the stem itself. Using a torque wrench ensures that the bolts are tightened correctly, preventing over-tightening or under-tightening.
* **Check for Movement:** After tightening the bolts, try to rotate the handlebars manually. If they move at all, the bolts are not tight enough. Loosen the bolts, reposition the handlebars, and tighten the bolts again, this time applying slightly more torque. Be careful not to exceed the maximum torque specification.
**Step 5: Final Checks**
* **Check Cable and Hose Routing:** Double-check that the brake cables, shifter cables, and hydraulic hoses are routed correctly and are not pinched, kinked, or stretched. Make sure they move freely when you turn the handlebars from side to side.
* **Test the Brakes and Shifters:** Test the brakes and shifters to ensure they are working properly. Squeeze the brake levers to make sure the brakes engage firmly. Shift through all the gears to make sure the shifters are shifting smoothly.
* **Take a Test Ride:** Take a short test ride in a safe area to ensure that the handlebars are secure and that the bike handles properly. Pay attention to any unusual noises, vibrations, or handling characteristics.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with careful attention, you might encounter some issues when turning your bike handlebars sideways. Here are some common problems and how to address them:
* **Stem Bolts are Stripped:** If the Allen wrench slips in the bolt head and strips the bolt, you’ll need to replace the bolt. You might be able to use a bolt extractor to remove the stripped bolt, or you might need to take the bike to a professional mechanic.
* **Handlebars Slip After Tightening:** If the handlebars continue to slip even after tightening the stem bolts to the correct torque, the stem or the handlebars might be worn or damaged. You might need to replace the stem or the handlebars. Alternatively, try cleaning the handlebar clamping area of the stem with isopropyl alcohol to remove any grease or contaminants that might be causing the slippage. Applying a thin layer of carbon paste (a special compound designed to increase friction between carbon fiber parts) can also help prevent slippage.
* **Cables are Too Short:** If the brake cables or shifter cables are too short to allow the handlebars to rotate freely, you might need to replace them with longer cables. Consult a professional mechanic to determine the correct cable length.
* **Hydraulic Hoses are Kinked:** If the hydraulic hoses are kinked, they might be damaged and need to be replaced. Kinked hoses can restrict the flow of hydraulic fluid and impair braking performance.
* **Headset is Loose or Tight:** If the headset (the bearing assembly that allows the fork to rotate) is loose or tight after turning the handlebars, you might need to adjust it. Loosening the stem bolts on the side and then the top cap bolt will allow you to adjust the headset bearing play. Tighten the top cap bolt until there is no play and the steering is smooth, then tighten the stem bolts. It’s best to consult a professional mechanic if you’re not comfortable adjusting the headset.
Safety Precautions
* **Always prioritize safety.** Before riding, ensure all bolts are properly tightened and all components are functioning correctly.
* **Do not overtighten bolts.** Overtightening can damage the bolts or the stem. Use a torque wrench to ensure proper torque.
* **Inspect cables and hoses regularly.** Check for wear, tear, and damage.
* **If you are unsure about any step, consult a professional mechanic.**
* **Test ride in a safe area** after making any adjustments to your bike.
Alternatives to Turning Handlebars Sideways
While turning handlebars is a common solution for space saving, there are alternatives:
* **Vertical Bike Racks:** These racks store bikes vertically, reducing the floor space needed.
* **Folding Bikes:** Bikes designed to fold into a compact size are ideal for storage and transport.
* **Handlebar Quick Release Mechanisms:** These mechanisms allow for quick and easy handlebar rotation without tools. These are often aftermarket parts.
Conclusion
Turning your bike handlebars sideways is a useful skill for storage, transportation, and maintenance. By following these detailed steps and taking the necessary precautions, you can safely and effectively rotate your handlebars without damaging your bike. Remember to always prioritize safety and consult a professional mechanic if you encounter any difficulties. Happy cycling!