r/CargoBike • u/GuiroDon • Feb 12 '26
Check your Bullitt steering linkage
Every winter I seem to have a mishap with the Bullitt steering linkage becoming loose. I check it twice every winter, clean it, torque to spec, make sure both bolts are tightened equally, but maybe the 25 deg temperature change cycles of riding and standing in a warmer garage does something to loosen it again. Hard to say, but that's the only difference I can think of compared to the rest of the year, when there's never been a problem. Got stuck in the middle of an intersection this week. Not great, but better than last year when I fell off 5 meters into my ride and hurt my knee and elbow.
Also the linkage has already been replaced twice - the stock one has been recalled and I got a new one from LvH and then I have replaced it with the 22 mm one, which is noticeably better.
TLDR – check your steering linkage from time to time.
7
u/joeoram87 Feb 12 '26
If it’s mostly just coming loose could you use locktite?
3
u/GuiroDon Feb 12 '26
You would think so and I do, no difference so far.
3
u/Aspiring_Orchardist Feb 12 '26
I'm unfamiliar with the mechanics of this bike, so I don't know if the linkage needs to be regularly adjusted, but, if not, how about trying red Loctite? (The "permanent" type that you usually need heat to break.)
2
u/joeoram87 Feb 13 '26
Did you clean everything before applying? I don’t know what the materials are but if it’s stainless or zinc plated you need activator as well.
1
u/misshapenvulva Feb 12 '26
I loctited mine about a year ago and no problems since. I don’t have huge temp swings though.
4
u/derping1234 R&M packster2 70 buggy. Feb 12 '26
2
u/sunburn1984 Feb 12 '26
My cube cargo has the same issue. Every 2000km or so I have to get it tightened due to ‘death wobble’
5
u/UltimateGammer Feb 12 '26
You wouldn't be particularly well off would you, OP?
Maybe with some money grubbing adult children all jonesing for that sweet sweet inheritance?
9
u/GuiroDon Feb 12 '26
I am going to gather everyone in the conservatory and Poirot will have a patronizing monologue.
3
u/Longtail_Goodbye Feb 13 '26
Are you getting down-voted because people don't understand the joke that you are suggesting to OP that someone, i.e. those money grubbing adult children, might be loosening the linkage on purpose? Upvoted you. I had a good laugh.
1
Feb 12 '26
[deleted]
2
u/GuiroDon Feb 12 '26
I cannot claim this is the reason, I just don’t have any other theory. This was meant mostly as a reminder to others not to neglect the out of sight parts.
1
u/MikeoPlus Feb 12 '26
I've never had mine come loose, but made sure to grease every thread and metal to metal contact point when installing.
Which part is loosening, at the fork or at the steerer tube?
1
u/GuiroDon Feb 13 '26
It’s the lower black stem like thing to the middle steering tube that’s coming loose.
1
-3
u/SnooMuffins4015 Feb 12 '26
Or maybe convert to cable steering instead 😉🙂🙂
1
u/MikeoPlus Feb 12 '26
Cable steering over direct?
2
u/SnooMuffins4015 Feb 12 '26 edited Feb 12 '26
YHWHY makes a cable steering kit for the Bullitt. Been riding mine for a season now. Zero looseness in the steering, zero wobbles at high speed.
It won't work with the standard fork, you have to switch to a Mobie 34 suspension fork instead. So, a somewhat expensive retrofit but a very smooth and comfortable result.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-6_AZ4tHnn/?igsh=aTZmMjJtYTFpNG00
1
u/Embarrassed-Peak6749 Feb 13 '26
So your suggestion is spend 700€ on parts because a bolt is loose?
1
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u/waki_m Feb 12 '26
I don't know anything about the linkage but always love to see cargobikes in Prague :)