Bicycle Mechanics - Replacing Threaded headset with Threadless

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Sammyboy
08-09-05, 06:42 AM
I've got an old mountain bike that I'm altering in various ways. This includes installing a set of triple-tree forks I got inexpensively on Ebay. The forks are threadless, and the headset is threaded, so clearly I need to replace the headset. I found them from pretty cheap, but I just wondered if there are any problems I should expect to meet when doing the work?

cs1
08-09-05, 08:10 AM
It sounds pretty straight forward. As long as the forks and the headtube are compatible ie both 1" or 1 1/8" and you buy the correct dia headset. Maybe someone else will weigh in who has some more experience on the subject.


Tim
sydney
08-09-05, 08:16 AM
Maybe someone else will weigh in who has some more experience on the subject.


TimYeah, measure 2 or 3 times cut once. Better yet, put it all together and eyeball whole mess before putting the hacksaw to the steerer. Also save the beer drinking and carpet smoking till after the job is done.

dobber
08-09-05, 08:46 AM
I just recently swapped the old threaded fork out on my GTB.

1) Purchase the correctly sized headset
2) Disassemble existing headset
3) Knock the old cups out (friendly LBS who lends you the tool a plus here)
4) Install new cups and crown race (I used the DIY headset press)
5) Assemble with uncut fork to determine correct length
6) Double check your measurements
7) Check the measurements once more
8) Cut the fork to length
9) Assemble and ride

Whole operation took me about 3 hours, including a trip to the hardware store for the making of a DIY crown race press.
Sammyboy
08-09-05, 11:30 AM
Bahahahahah. So I didn't know there were two headset diameters. And the fork is 1 1/8th, whereas my head tube is 1". I'm glad I got that fork on the cheap! It's an SR triple tree downhill fork, which I was only putting on there to look cool anyway. I suppose there's no way round this? I just need to hold on to it til I happen upon a suitable frame?
CBolt
08-09-05, 01:09 PM
don't forget about a new stem
cs1
08-09-05, 01:56 PM
Yeah, measure 2 or 3 times cut once. Better yet, put it all together and eyeball whole mess before putting the hacksaw to the steerer. Also save the beer drinking and carpet smoking till after the job is done.


What Sydney said!

Tim