One of the two bolts (lower bolt) that hold the handlebars in place on my Schwinn High Timber MTB has started to come loose, causing the handlebars to be wobbly and insecure on the bike. I attempted to tighten the one problematic bolt and it seems to be stripped, I couldn't really get a good turn on it... I had no problem tightening the other screw so I don't believe it was a matter of using the wrong size allen wrench.

Can anyone tell me a.) is this a standard bolt and b.) where would be the best place to get a replacement?


Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Ace Hardware would be a good place to go.

Take the old bolt with you.

Yes, either a hardware store or bike shop will likely have a replacement metric bolt, but what you need depends on what you mean by "stripped." When you say it was not the wrong allen wrench is sounds as if the allen fitting on the bolt is rounded off. If that is the case, then a replacement bolt should do the trick. If the bolt turns OK but never tightens and the threads on the bolt are gone, then again a bolt will do it. If the bolt threads look good but it won't tighten you are likely into a new stem - not worth it to try a repair.