Help! I’ve got a Canyon CF Speedmax that I’m trying to remove the handlebars for travel. When I went for my bike fit, the fitter told me that Canyon uses cheap bolts that strip easily and he was unable to get one of the four faceplate bolts off when trying to make a a slight adjustment during the fit (despite having been tightened with a torque wrench to the correct Nm). I’ve replaced 3 of the 4 bolts but can’t for the life of me get the final one off. I’ve tried all the tricks I can find on google but nothing has worked. I’ve moved overseas and haven’t yet found a trusted bike mechanic here so will be taking my chances. Looking for any last ditch removal suggestions or understanding of potential damage by taking it to someone I don’t know!
One option is to dremel a slot into the bolt, so you can use a flat head to unscrew.
My husband would love any excuse to use his dremel but not sure he’d be brave enough to try it on my bike. Thank you for the suggestion - will see if he’s keen!
I assume then, that you’ve tried hammering a larger sized (hardened steel) Torx (star) into the offending bolt, and used that to screw it out? That really ‘bit’ into the softer OEM bolt. That worked for me on a Speed Concept rear brake mount.
The original bolts are torx. The dud mechanic probably rounded it out with a hex key.
Use the proper size Wera torx plus and it will come straight out.
Epoxy a torx bit into the head of the bolt?
Reverse drill bit / screw extractor. They have different sizes at hardware stores. That’s what I used to extract a broken crank bolt
I assume then, that you’ve tried hammering a larger sized (hardened steel) Torx (star) into the offending bolt, and used that to screw it out? That really ‘bit’ into the softer OEM bolt. That worked for me on a Speed Concept rear brake mount.
Yes and no - I have a limited Torx set and probably need one in between what I have available. The one I tried didn’t yield sufficient grab to do anything and the next size up is considerably bigger!
Two more suggestions:
- since the bolt heads appears to sit proud of the faceplate on the Canyon stem you could carefully cut &/or grind off the bolt head using a small hacksaw &/or dremel, allowing the faceplate to be removed and then twist out the bolt using pliers/vice-grip pliers/slot cut into bolt & screwdriver. This option requires that you have a replacement bolt for the damaged one; or
- abandon removing the faceplate until you acquire the services of a trusted mechanic, and remove the stem at the headset for your immediate travel purposes. You may need to temporarily secure the steerer tube with a spare stem or seatpost clamp to prevent it from coming out by accident.
hope this helps.
Put a photo up so we can see the offending bolt and offer advice based on what we see.
Most bikes use pretty soft material that strip easily so this is pretty common.
Lots of options to remove it, most semi competent bike mechanics would have a variety of methods so I would not be too worried with taking it in.
Depending on how much of the head sits proud, something like this could work.
https://www.amazon.com/Maximum-Impact-Bolt-Remover-pieces/dp/B01JDNIYPW
You’ll have to tap the extractor onto the head of the bolt with a hammer, then take it out with ratchet.
Othewise, a left handed drill bit and extractor should work as well. However, the bits for something as small as a stem bolt are going to be very fragile.
https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-01925A-Extractor-Extractors-Cobalt/dp/B000F9ANQW
Had the same problem once… An extractor set of drill bits is pretty cheap and definitely works without doing any potential damage to your frame. Worked great for me.
One option is to dremel a slot into the bolt, so you can use a flat head to unscrew.
This is the easiest solution. I do it all the time.
In addition to everything above, put the other screws back in and slightly overtorque them. If the stuck bolt is the only one on there, it is wedged at an angle from the force of the stem pushing bar into the front plate. If the other three are are on there, rather tight, much less force on the bad bolt. Whatever method you use from above will work better.
Thanks all,
Husband keen for an excuse to use the dremel so will let him have a go. It also prompted me to ask around and line up a good mechanic. Several people have recommended the same guy so feel like I’ve got a good back up option if the dremel/flat head screwdriver route doesn’t work!