Bicycle Mechanics - Convert to threadless?

My daily commuter is an '85 Raleigh Wyoming touring bike that I bought new, and I love it. I asked the LBS guy about converting to a threadless headset, and he said, "It's pretty expensive, so by the time you spend all that money you might as well buy a new bike." Is it worth it, or should I just maintain what I've got?

Do you have some specific complaint about your current stem?

I did it on one, but it was because I bought a bare frame without a fork. Is your current fork kaput?

No problems. After 20 years, my headset is fine. I'm just wondering if it's worth the effort/cost in terms of performance or ride?

No problems. After 20 years, my headset is fine. I'm just wondering if it's worth the effort/cost in terms of performance or ride?

I would say no.

No problems. After 20 years, my headset is fine. I'm just wondering if it's worth the effort/cost in terms of performance or ride?

the only reason to change is if you're swapping out the front fork, 'cause you'd have to do that to change to threadless anyway. Performance difference - none, zilch, nada

I like the idea of being able to swap out stems more easily, but that's about it.

No problems. After 20 years, my headset is fine. I'm just wondering if it's worth the effort/cost in terms of performance or ride?

Unless you NEED to change the fork due to damage or some compromise in it or the headset's integrity, you've said you're happy with it and that you love the bike...don't change it - it's really not worth the money. That being said, If you want to give the old girl a face lift, a new front-end will definitely add a new look. Truly, the only change will be aesthetic. I recently converted one of mine due to the fact I had the extra fork, stem and bars that I wanted to use already in my bin, and my fork was damaged to boot. So for just the cost of my headset alone it all worked out for under 50 bucks.

If all you're looking for is more stem choices, you can use a quill-to-threadless adapter (http://www.bti-usa.com/item.asp?item=AZ0202&searchtype=otherItems&itemsearch=&showSec=&filter=):

http://www.bti-usa.com/pictures/AZ/AZ0202.JPG

If all you're looking for is more stem choices, you can use a quill-to-threadless adapter (http://www.bti-usa.com/item.asp?item=AZ0202&searchtype=otherItems&itemsearch=&showSec=&filter=):

http://www.bti-usa.com/pictures/AZ/AZ0202.JPG

I did this on my '94 Cannondale hybrid singlespeed. More stems to choose from.

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll go with the adapter.

$99 - carbon fork
$30 - headset
$50 - carbon stem
Adding CHIMP factor to an old school bike - priceless

I highly recommend it if you have the means.

One advantage of using the adapter rather than going to threadless, you don't have to readjust your headset every time you change the stem... Looks like it would add some weight, though.

I switched to threadless when I replaced the fork on my Jamis Coda with an aluminum fork...

I like the idea of being able to swap out stems more easily, but that's about it.

Of course you have to balance that advantage with the fact that you have to change stems more often since they don't have any height adjustment.

My daily commuter is an '85 Raleigh Wyoming touring bike that I bought new, and I love it. I asked the LBS guy about converting to a threadless headset, and he said, "It's pretty expensive, so by the time you spend all that money you might as well buy a new bike." Is it worth it, or should I just maintain what I've got?

thats bs man... new steel / cromo fork = 25$ new aheadset=20$ new stem = 20$

that really sounds like the cost of a new bike $$$ really expensive. what a crock of sh*t

If all you're looking for is more stem choices, you can use a quill-to-threadless adapter (http://www.bti-usa.com/item.asp?item=AZ0202&searchtype=otherItems&itemsearch=&showSec=&filter=):

http://www.bti-usa.com/pictures/AZ/AZ0202.JPG

This set up works great. Replace the quill stem with the adapter and add a threadless stem. No new fork or handlebars needed, and you get that "new school" bling!!:D

I did this on my '94 Cannondale hybrid singlespeed. More stems to choose from.

I just did the same this weekend with my old Bianchi - been able to try out 3 different bar setups already with much less fuss than the old threaded quill.