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Before you start tightening the screws holding your bike together, understand where they are and what they do.
When it comes to your bike, you know that there are many parts and many bolts that hold these parts together. But it is clear that this is not an unambiguous situation.
If you notice that a bolt is loose and you want to fix it, you need to know exactly what to tighten first and what tool you need to use. Most bicycle bolts can be used with .css-qlm9kn{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset: 0 .25 rem; color: #067EA7; -webkit-transition: all 0.3 with smooth entry-exit; transition: all 0.3 with easy entry-exit; background image: linear gradient(down, #7fdbfa, #7fdbfa) ; -webkit-background-position:0 100%;background-position:0 100%;background-repeat:repeat-x;-webkit-background-size:0 0;background-size:0 0;padding-bottom:0.05 rem ;padding-top:0.05rem;}.css-qlm9kn:hover{color:#045976;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-size:.625rem 3.125rem;background-size : .625rem 3.125rem;} Allen key (also known as hex key) or Torx key.
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Although rare, the bolt can completely loosen and come off, which means you need to proceed to replace it. If this happens to you, your best bet is to contact your bike manufacturer to determine the correct size, or take your bike to a hardware store or bike shop to determine the exact size you need.
Here we break down all types of bolts on a bike, their location, the parts they hold together, and the tools needed to tighten them.
Check the recommended torque settings for each part manufacturer, especially carbon fiber. Under-tightening may result in loosening, over-tightening may result in breakage.
Mounts: One 5mm bolt behind the top of the fork under the downtube and one on the rear brake axle above the wheel. Some brakes use T25 bolt heads.
Attachments: One 5mm cable attachment bolt at the front and one at the back. In addition, some brakes have a spring tension screw that adjusts the even tension of the caliper.
Tools: 5 mm hexagon wrench for clamping bolts, hexagon wrench or Phillips screwdriver (depending on type) for spring tension screws.
Mounting: One bolt 4 or 5 mm, brake pads with replacement pads also have a pad mounting bolt.
Mounts: Usually two, sometimes one tie bolt located on a rod that slides over the steering column.
Mounting: One 5mm bolt inside the upper brake arm (Campagnolo) or outside under the brake housing (Shimano).
Mounts: One or two 4, 5, or 6mm bolts on a yoke at the top of the seat tube, just above the top tube.
Purpose: Attaches the medium and large chainrings to each other and then to the connecting rod; on three-cassette models, the small chainring is attached with its own set of 5mm bolts.
Fasteners: Install bolts (number and size vary). The new Campy cranks mount to the bottom bracket with 10mm bolts; modern Shimano use two 5mm bolts on the non-drive end; older models use 8mm bolts on both sides.
Purpose: The idler pulley guides the chain from one gear to the next, the intermediate pulley maintains a constant chain tension.
Purpose: to hold together the inner and outer plates of the cell; separating them makes it easier to remove or replace the chain.
Mounts: Each switch has top and bottom limit screws. Some of them are marked U and L; if you don’t, check with the manufacturer to find out which screw is which.
Purpose: firstly, so that the chain does not jump off the top of the cassette onto the spokes, and secondly, so that it does not drop the smallest gear into the frame.
Mounting: usually a 3 or 4 mm hex head bolt on the underside of the bottom bracket body; it is not available on all bikes.
Jen is Associate Director of Testing for Bicycling and Runner’s World. Born and raised 10 minutes from the office, she spent her youth exploring the same roads and trails that ended up testing mountain bikes and bikes (at various times over the last 18 years). editor and managing editor). Now she prefers leisurely rides with her 11-year-old son, pushing the boundaries of e-biking without getting killed on the start.
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Post time: Jun-12-2023