Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - threaded vs threadless

This has probably come up before (I searched to no avail) but given the choice in the IRO group buy in between 1" threaded and 1 1/8" threadless, I am wondering, what are the benefits of more modern threadless stem setups? I actually quite like the old, classic look of a nice quill stem, and use that setup now on my conversion. But, given the choice now to start over, why should I consider the threadless setup?

stiffer
lighter
won't get stuck
easier to adjust the headset
more options for open faced stems
31.8 stems available period
Everything except some peoples aesthetics.

stiffer
lighter
won't get stuck
easier to adjust the headset
more options for open faced stems
31.8 stems available period
Everything except some peoples aesthetics.

Yep all that
But the old quill type look SOOOOO much nicer

i particularly like threadless for swapping handlebars - removable faceplates on threadless stems. haven't ridden the same bars on my threadless and threaded bikes, so i can't speak to stem stiffness, only that the bars that i do have on my bike with threaded definitely flex - don't know if it's bars of stem though. quite probably both.

Everything except some peoples aesthetics.

Actually, threaded has some advantages such as much easier height adjustment.

Threadless has been mainly driven by manufacturers, as they only need to make one fork length. You can find many threaded set-ups, which are stiff and easy to maintain etc.

IMHO its really a personal choice, but the whole bike industry has pretty much moved to threadless. The choice in threaded is getting less and less, and nearly all the good stuff is NOS.

Actually, threaded has some advantages such as much easier height adjustment.


At a huge cost raising a threaded at all makes it's already sloppy nature even worse.

A threadless can be adjusted fairly easily too either by flipping it moving spacers around. If that's not enough there are plenty of adjustable stems that are still superior to threaded and offer.

I was going to post this question. I ordered the threadless but now am wondering.

For threaded, the post has to be tapped, right? how much is it to get that done? Can any LBS do that? Will the threaded come with the threads?

Do 1" headsets come threadless? The answer is yes. Chris King makes one.

I was going to post this question. I ordered the threadless but now am wondering.

For threaded, the for post has to be tapped, right? how much is it to get that done? Can any LBS do that?

Do 1" headsets come threadless?

yes
no
yes

stiffer
lighter
won't get stuck
easier to adjust the headset
more options for open faced stems
31.8 stems available period
Everything except some peoples aesthetics.

Pfft. Your first three

stiffer - i'm not cippolini sprinting for the line
lighter - pfft
wont' get stuck - pfft, if you are unable to put grease on a stem, you deserve to have it stuck
easier to adjust the headset - pfft, you adjust it once and it's done. So you take 5 minutes longer, big deal.


If that's not enough there are plenty of adjustable stems that are still superior to threaded and offer.

You're kidding right?

Pfft. Your first three

stiffer - i'm not cippolini sprinting for the line
lighter - pfft
wont' get stuck - pfft, if you are unable to put grease on a stem, you deserve to have it stuck
easier to adjust the headset - pfft, you adjust it once and it's done. So you take 5 minutes longer, big deal.



You're kidding right?

I don't care how weak you are ss riding means pulling up a lot harder on the bars and that means flex will be apparent to all but the tiniest rider. For a group of people who claim that 75's are worth the 100+ dollars over rds that they cost it is ridiculous that people would accept threaded. If you raise your stem at all it gets much worse fast.

nope. Threaded really really blow. No matter how stiff the stem is(and it will always be floppier at the same weight) the junction between the stem and the steerer tube sucks. If adjustability was my goal i would take an adjustable threadless over a threaded any day. As it is I get enough adjustment by flipping the stem so it's not an issue.

What if the Threadless was 1"? Is that good? Bad? No Difference?

better then threaded, you'll probably end up using a 1 1/8" stem with a shim

*snip*
Threadless has been mainly driven by manufacturers, as they only need to make one fork length.
*snip*

Proof?

Threaded is the worst! Mechanically speaking a threaded setup is idiotic! Just think how it attaches the stem to the steertube. THe threadless solution is far supirior.

Also if you ride steel remember that your threaded headset/stem setup guides any water (rain/sweat) that falls on your stem right down into the steertube where is will rust away. Another problem that a threadless setup gracefully avoids. For additional significant benefits see above.

What if the Threadless was 1"? Is that good? Bad? No Difference?

It is great! The main benefit of threadless is the way it attaches. the steertube diameter (+/- 1/8") makes little difference and the shims on the market today are excellent. The reason they became wider in diameter was mosly because of the use of thicker down and top tubes. Just easier to attach them to a wider steertube.

Proof?

You don't need proof. It's obvious.

i use a a 1" threadless on my bike with a bontrager 1 1/8" shim for my bars......now i just gotta get the right hight and trim the steerer http://velospace.org/files/Best_moto_yet.jpg (http://velospace.org/node/1923)

Proof?

there was just a quote from skye yaeger regarding that. It is only a partial truth though. Yes it is easier for them to not worry about threading forks but it would be adopted by now anyway since it is a far superior technology to all except those who worship anachronist aesthetics.

Further, if you look at the what manufacturers do when they want to make a bike as cheap as possible it almost always involves threaded.

Proof?

See this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=262751). Dutret beat me to it.

See this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=262751). Dutret beat me to it.

She said that but when bianchi USA wants to make a super cheap bike performance be damned they still reach for threaded.

If you're not hell bent on getting a quill stem for the looks, get threadless by all means. The stiffness alone is worth it.

Here's the best BF post about the subject, with 2 scary shots of how ****ing flexy quill stems are. (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=2570648&postcount=13)

Thread it comes from (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=197949&highlight=threadless+quill+stiff)

Edit: I think it's pretty ridiculous to whine about how the evil corporations are shoving a vastly superior technology down our throats... look for conspiracy theories elsewhere.

God, one of these again. Can't you folks argue about clipless vs. straps? Or whether to run a brake?

Threadless is far and away better as far as performance goes. None of those spandex-clad guys who ride through France, Italy, and Spain use threaded. Zero. And that same technology is available to you! For minimum cost! DO IT.

Threadless is far and away better as far as performance goes. None of those spandex-clad guys who ride through France, Italy, and Spain use threaded. Zero. And that same technology is available to you! For minimum cost! DO IT.[/QUOTE]

well put end thread...

None of those spandex-clad guys who ride through France, Italy, and Spain use threaded. Zero.

....anymore. It wasn't that long ago that they still were using them...something like 1999, and the performance differential between then and now is pretty minimal. But I do agree with your argument here, 100%.

I ordered the threadless, and will keep it that way. Thanks for the help.

threadless for life!

It's more a personal choice

I prefer threatless

I like threadless. The rest of you suck!

....anymore. It wasn't that long ago that they still were using them...something like 1999, and the performance differential between then and now is pretty minimal. But I do agree with your argument here, 100%.

I ordered the threadless, and will keep it that way. Thanks for the help.

which pretty much coincides with the time that carbon forks became the norm. Threadless lets you build a much lighter front end. Moving to carbon forks pushed it over the edge because now you could have Al and SF steerer tubes which make things even lighter.

I've built and ridden all threaded bikes so far, but can definetely see how threadless has an upper hand on threaded on everything but aesthetics; I'm making my new IRO threadless since it'll be a beater...should be a fun experiment.

I've built and ridden all threaded bikes so far, but can definetely see how threadless has an upper hand on threaded on everything but aesthetics; I'm making my new IRO threadless since it'll be a beater...should be a fun experiment.

You can always get the 1" IRO and get a threadless 1" headset.

Who wants to have to rewrap their bars if they want a new stem? The only reason to bother with quill stems is if you have an older bike. Outfitting a new bike with a quill stem is idiotic. Take that, Grant Peterson.

You can always get the 1" IRO and get a threadless 1" headset.
Finding 1" threadless forks is kind of a pain

Finding 1" threadless forks is kind of a pain

Thats why you just use 1 1/8" with a shim.

Thats why you just use 1 1/8" with a shim.

You can't negative shim.

The selection of 1" threadless forks is more limited. They are nice for upgrading older bikes that take 1" forks, but if you are buying a frame new make sure you get 11/8".

oh forks. yeah it's possible but there aren't as many choices and definitely not as many deals.

It's more a personal choice

I prefer threatless

I also enjoy lack of threat.

i say threaded looks the best when coupled with matching track drops, and or is a drop stem.

but threadless by far is the most practical and stiffest/strongest/cheapest/bestest option out there.

i wanted to go threaded, because i have so many quill stems with bars in them laying around, but im going to bite the bullet and embrace progress. i cant wait to be able to switch bars without rewrapping or messing with grips.

one of us one of us one of us

I tried the torsion test on my 10cm quilled bars today and damn, they are really quite flexy. Dutret, when all of the bunk is debunked, what will you do then?

I tried the torsion test on my 10cm quilled bars today and damn, they are really quite flexy. Dutret, when all of the bunk is debunked, what will you do then?

Quantum singularity.

How would a steel quill stem compare in flexiness to alloy quills or alloy threadless stems? It seems that a steel threadless would be stiffer than a steel threaded.
I ordered an iro with threads and have been thinking about changing it, but then I wouldn't be able to run a really awesome front rack I found.

I'm going threadless, clipless, brakes. There, I said it.

1 1/8" threadless headsets have taken over the market, evil little things, and are coming to attack your lugged track bikes!!!

How would a steel quill stem compare in flexiness to alloy quills or alloy threadless stems? It seems that a steel threadless would be stiffer than a steel threaded.
I ordered an iro with threads and have been thinking about changing it, but then I wouldn't be able to run a really awesome front rack I found.
I'm pretty sure that even the bestest keirinest steel quill stems (edit: talking about traditional 1" skinny ones here) are flexier than the crappiest threadless stems. You can't **** physics. I don't think there is a steel threadless stem, at least not widely used. There's no need for one.

Steel isn't all that stiff: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bridge/images/tacoma3.avi

That's from wind.

Steel isn't all that stiff: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bridge/images/tacoma3.avi

That's from wind.

not opening on my work comp but i'm pretty sure i know this vid.

that's actually from sympathetic vibration induced by wind, iirc. every object has a frequency that, if it vibrates at that frequency, the vibration waves magnify - instead of ever canceling each other out, they build and build and build until, well, you have a seriously ****in' broken bridge. [can somebody check my physics explanation? i'm just tryin to remember from high school physics here] edit:: vocab word: RESONANT FREQUENCY.

that doesn't mean that steel isn't stiff or strong or any other adjective or characteristic.

cool video though.

Steel isn't all that stiff: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bridge/images/tacoma3.avi

That's from wind.

I love that video. Quite possibly the coolest thing that has ever happened in the history of the world.

salsa still makes steel stems......i think they even do a custom option,i know they used to threaded/threadless....any lenght/rise you want

not opening on my work comp but i'm pretty sure i know this vid.

that's actually from sympathetic vibration induced by wind, iirc. every object has a frequency that, if it vibrates at that frequency, the vibration waves magnify - instead of ever canceling each other out, they build and build and build until, well, you have a seriously ****in' broken bridge. [can somebody check my physics explanation? i'm just tryin to remember from high school physics here] edit:: vocab word: RESONANT FREQUENCY.

that doesn't mean that steel isn't stiff or strong or any other adjective or characteristic.

cool video though.

Don't worry, I took enough physics & engineering classes to know the real cause was resonance. Just wanted to point out that even "stiff" metals like steel can flex surprising amounts.

Edit: Here's the wiki on resonance for anyone curious http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanical_resonance

Forget steel, we all know it can bend like crazy. What really amazes me is how the actual ****ing concrete waved all over the place on the Tacoma bridge without cracking. Yeah, that's a classic vid.
Incidentally, the bridge offered a wide (tall) target and a not very aero shape for the wind to attack and it was ridiculously narrow for its length AFAIK. So it was poor design + really bad luck.