# Failing handlebar lock **URL:** \ **Category:** Strida Problems and Answers\ **Created:** [December 5, 2011, 8:33pm UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/failing-handlebar-lock/775 "2011-12-05T20:33:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![one\_half\_3544](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/one_half_3544/32/22_2.png) [@one\_half\_3544](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/one_half_3544)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 8:33pm UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/failing-handlebar-lock/775/1 "2011-12-05T20:33:55Z")
My left handlebar was loose from the beginning (and tightening the clamp did not help much) - just like described in [this topic](http://ww.stridaforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3103&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a). But after rear wheel replacement I got strida back with the clamp tightened with normal (I think) torque and decided to leave it as is (it is much easier to open normally-tightened clamp =)). Now push button is eating the frame =( It seems that the fail of this part should not be catastrophic (i.e. handlebar should not fold under load even without those buttons), but what do you think, is it dangerous to ride with it? Currently I think of replacing the front tube anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/blackstridaaustria/32/12_2.png) [@Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/Blackstridaaustria)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 3:33pm UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/failing-handlebar-lock/775/2 "2011-12-09T15:33:53Z")
> [@one\_half\_3544](#): > > …do you think, is it dangerous to ride with it? If the clamp is tightened really hard, I think not… Guess the dull marks at the steering bar result from the wandering of the bar out of the clamp while riding. What did your local dealer mean? Did you consider to mail Ming directly? [mingbike@ms9.hinet.net](mailto:mingbike@ms9.hinet.net) ---
**Author:** ![one\_half\_3544](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/one_half_3544/32/22_2.png) [@one\_half\_3544](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/one_half_3544)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 2:08pm UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/failing-handlebar-lock/775/3 "2011-12-13T14:08:56Z")
Have not contacted the dealer yet (I do not use strida now because of the absence of studded tyres). I’ll post here about the outcome when I do. ---
**Author:** ![Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/blackstridaaustria/32/12_2.png) [@Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/Blackstridaaustria)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 6:08pm UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/failing-handlebar-lock/775/4 "2011-12-13T18:08:54Z")
> [@one\_half\_3544](#): > > I do not use strida now because of the absence of studded tyres 😮 I do not use strida now because… it’s too cold for her ![](http://www.peppiclip.de/Smilies/assets/images/Love31.gif)(and me). ![](http://www.peppiclip.de/Smilies/assets/images/cw.gif) ---
**Author:** ![one\_half\_3544](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/one_half_3544/32/22_2.png) [@one\_half\_3544](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/one_half_3544)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 10:04am UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/failing-handlebar-lock/775/5 "2012-01-10T10:04:11Z")
Ok, I’ve visited local dealer =) They’ve said that it is because of me trying to fold handlebar without pushing the button all the way down 😒 and that all they could do is to replace front tube for a fee (when spare front tube becomes available - in spring =( ). So I’ll disassemble it and try to fix it - I’ll post photos. If it fails I’ll just ride and see if it will continue to degrade - if it progresses I’ll ask for front tube replacement (it costs [only $25](http://strida.ru/parts/) here). ---
**Author:** ![asbelow](https://www.stridaforum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/278dde/32.png) [@asbelow](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/asbelow)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 11:28am UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/failing-handlebar-lock/775/6 "2012-01-10T11:28:51Z")
Chiming in on the failing handlebar lock discussion, my old Strida 3 is having a similar problem. The left handlebar slips out of the casing while I’m riding. It seems the lip to the casing has worn off (or perhaps it’s something else), which means I can also slip the handle bar back in without using the brass buttons, if the lock is open. My issue is not with the lock lever per se, but the actual handle bar, coming out of it’s socket. I worry that the handlebar will collapse while I’m on the road, which would be disastrous. I’ve tightened the lock lever, but I don’t think that’s the problem. Anyone have any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/blackstridaaustria/32/12_2.png) [@Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/Blackstridaaustria)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 4:19pm UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/failing-handlebar-lock/775/7 "2012-01-10T16:19:34Z")
Maybe the dealer is not that wrong, guess you have normal hands and Original Strida handlebar release buttons? Moreover that, maybe the combination of brass and aluminium at this point is not the best? Background choir: Hello Holy Mingus, please read our forum, Amen! But for that price 😮 a new front tube does sound very good! Welcome asbelow! ![](http://www.peppiclip.de/Smilies/assets/images/bk.gif) Sorry, Strida 3 is before my time… But, do you have some pics please? ---
**Author:** ![Amuro\_Lee](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/amuro_lee/32/4_2.png) [@Amuro\_Lee](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/Amuro_Lee)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 6:14pm UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/failing-handlebar-lock/775/8 "2012-01-10T18:14:39Z")
😉 [url][New Strida rider takes Chicago - #3 by Human\_Amp2](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/new-strida-rider-takes-chicago/493/3)] > [@Human\_Amp](#): > > Those buttons are only ‘lawyer proofing’ ie not just to show people the bars are fully engaged, but also to make the poor end user press them, everytime the bars are folded. > > Early Mk3’s did not have them, they were only added later (I know cos I got one). > > Good news - The button holes in the outer stem forging that grip the bars, gradually wear over a few years use (or if accelerated by a file 😃 ) … so that the buttons just become ‘visual indicators’ that the bars are ‘in’ with a slight ‘grip’ effect, but they do not need to be pressed, the fold is done just by pulling the bars out - much more user friendly and fast. ---
**Author:** ![one\_half\_3544](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/one_half_3544/32/22_2.png) [@one\_half\_3544](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/one_half_3544)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 9:53pm UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/failing-handlebar-lock/775/9 "2012-01-10T21:53:45Z")
> [@Blackstridaaustria](#): > > Maybe the dealer is not that wrong, guess you have normal hands and Original Strida handlebar release buttons? Well, maybe. But then the wear would have been symmetrical, no? > [@Amuro Lee](#): > > > [@Human\_Amp](#): > > > > Good news - The button holes in the outer stem forging that grip the bars, gradually wear over a few years use (or if accelerated by a file 😃 ) … so that the buttons just become ‘visual indicators’ that the bars are ‘in’ with a slight ‘grip’ effect, but they do not need to be pressed, the fold is done just by pulling the bars out - much more user friendly and fast. Great info, thanks! This is a good design in which those push buttons are just extra safety catches with primary load on the clamp itself - I was not sure that it is so, but now I’ve stopped worrying. ---
**Author:** ![Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/blackstridaaustria/32/12_2.png) [@Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/Blackstridaaustria)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 10:27am UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/failing-handlebar-lock/775/10 "2012-01-12T10:27:58Z")
> [@one\_half\_3544](#): > > Well, maybe. But then the wear would have been symmetrical, no? Not stringently, I mean… 8 to 15 percent of mankind is right-handed, supposing you’re right-handed too, we have the first possible reason for unbalanced wear; less fine motor skills at the left hand. Reversed, if you’re left-handed, maybe the left hand is stronger than the right? The Original Strida handlebar release buttons (the short version) can be used properly with very small hands only. Your split version is at first sight easy to handle, but actually you cannot see exactly the position of the button’s shaft while pushing it. Both are made of brass, better would be soft aluminium, then the buttons will wear out first. But the grade of wear is caused more by the jiggling of the (too loose) handlebar while riding. > [@one\_half\_3544](#): > > My left handlebar was loose from the beginning… I believe that the clamp has to be as tight as possible (and, sadly, very hard to open and close). If one bar starts to get loose, the brass will eat the aluminium frame again. I suppose insufficient production accuracy for the “left-right behaviour”, any other ideas out there? ---
**Author:** ![one\_half\_3544](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/one_half_3544/32/22_2.png) [@one\_half\_3544](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/one_half_3544)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 11:16am UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/failing-handlebar-lock/775/11 "2012-01-13T11:16:13Z")
> [@Blackstridaaustria](#): > > > [@one\_half\_3544](#): > > > > Well, maybe. But then the wear would have been symmetrical, no? > > Not stringently, I mean… > > 8 to 15 percent of mankind is right-handed, supposing you’re right-handed too, we have the first possible reason for unbalanced wear; less fine motor skills at the left hand. Yes, I’m right-handed and I use left handlebar to unfold. I agree that both potentially contribute to this situation. > [@Blackstridaaustria](#): > > The Original Strida handlebar release buttons (the short version) can be used properly with very small hands only. > Your split version is at first sight easy to handle, but actually you cannot see exactly the position of the button’s shaft while pushing it. > Both are made of brass, better would be soft aluminium, then the buttons will wear out first. Yeah. Or the redesign of this part (steel plate with hole for the button (?), screwed on top of the frame - to make it replaceable. But of course it will increase the cost) > [@Blackstridaaustria](#): > > But the grade of wear is caused more by the jiggling of the (too loose) handlebar while riding. > > > [@one\_half\_3544](#): > > > > My left handlebar was loose from the beginning… > > I believe that the clamp has to be as tight as possible (and, sadly, very hard to open and close). > If one bar starts to get loose, the brass will eat the aluminium frame again. > > I suppose insufficient production accuracy for the “left-right behaviour”, any other ideas out there? Sound plausible, but we need to check some new stridas to see if they have any wobbling handlebars =) ---
**Author:** ![Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/blackstridaaustria/32/12_2.png) [@Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/Blackstridaaustria)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/failing-handlebar-lock/775/12 "2012-01-13T19:59:28Z")
> [@one\_half\_3544](#): > > Or the redesign of this part (steel plate with hole for the button (?), screwed on top of the frame - to make it replaceable. But of course it will increase the cost) I believe that there is a (nearby) free of cost and replaceable solution. Please imagine the holes of the buttons (together with the frame’s holes) rotating around the bar axis for ~ 140 degree. (Buttons are now pointing upwards-forwards). Frame holes will be at the detachable (hmmm?) part below the clamp, function will be the same as before. (Btw, there’s no spare parts nr.??) Manipulation would be different, now by forefinger instead of thumb. The redesign should also include a possibility to balance the clamp force (torque) between left and right. ---
**Author:** ![one\_half\_3544](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/one_half_3544/32/22_2.png) [@one\_half\_3544](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/one_half_3544)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2012, 1:32pm UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/failing-handlebar-lock/775/13 "2012-01-14T13:32:53Z")
> [@Blackstridaaustria](#): > > > [@one\_half\_3544](#): > > > > Or the redesign of this part (steel plate with hole for the button (?), screwed on top of the frame - to make it replaceable. But of course it will increase the cost) > > I believe that there is a (nearby) free of cost and replaceable solution. > > Please imagine the holes of the buttons (together with the frame’s holes) rotating around the bar axis for ~ 140 degree. > (Buttons are now pointing upwards-forwards). > Frame holes will be at the detachable (hmmm?) part below the clamp, function will be the same as before. > (Btw, there’s no spare parts nr.??) > Manipulation would be different, now by forefinger instead of thumb. Yes, moving button holes to that semi-replaceable part of front tube should be better. And having that part of the tube available as a spare would be nice - it would be possible to find good one which clamps tightly both handlebars (or to experiment with existing one without fear of ruining the frame (front tube)). Another possible improvement is to allow only two clearly feelable button positions - on (locked) and off (unlocked). Currently it is possible to push button too deep and ‘lock’ again, thus requiring user to have that ‘fine motor skills’ in order to push the button to ‘unlock’ state. Increasing button height so that is touches the other (inner) side of the handlebar when ‘unlocked’ should help. It would be harder to install such buttons (they would have to be made hollow with a screw inside(?)), but this is a one time operation… > [@Blackstridaaustria](#): > > The redesign should also include a possibility to balance the clamp force (torque) between left and right. Two screws (right and left) with single lever operating on both of them? ---
**Author:** ![Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/blackstridaaustria/32/12_2.png) [@Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/Blackstridaaustria)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2012, 9:49pm UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/failing-handlebar-lock/775/14 "2012-01-14T21:49:30Z")
> [@one\_half\_3544](#): > > Currently it is possible to push button too deep and ‘lock’ again, thus requiring user to have that ‘fine motor skills’ in order to push the button to ‘unlock’ state. > Increasing button height so that is touches the other (inner) side of the handlebar when ‘unlocked’ should help. The idea to define both positions is really great, many thanks for new inspiration… 💡 Here is improvement possible without any support of Ming cycle! > [@one\_half\_3544](#): > > Two screws (right and left) with single lever operating on both of them? Two (maybe fine pitch thread) worm screws for left-right balancing at the semi-replaceable part will not affect the Original single lever clamp function. ---
**Author:** ![one\_half\_3544](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/one_half_3544/32/22_2.png) [@one\_half\_3544](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/one_half_3544)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2012, 6:22pm UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/failing-handlebar-lock/775/15 "2012-05-08T18:22:22Z")
> [@Blackstridaaustria](#): > > > [@one\_half\_3544](#): > > > > My left handlebar was loose from the beginning… > > I believe that the clamp has to be as tight as possible (and, sadly, very hard to open and close). Confirmed. I’ve tightened the clamp to the recommended (by the manual) 8Nm torque (torque wrench is a great tool!) and the problem is gone. But it is really hard to open/close the clamp indeed. ---
**Author:** ![Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/blackstridaaustria/32/12_2.png) [@Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/Blackstridaaustria)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2012, 6:48pm UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/failing-handlebar-lock/775/16 "2012-05-08T18:48:59Z")
> [@one\_half\_3544](#): > > …the problem is gone. But it is really hard to open/close the clamp indeed. Very good 😃 Try to see that positive - you will get a thumb like Conan!