Bicycle Mechanics - threadless stem, threaded fork

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roadpig2001
03-16-04, 02:48 PM
I am restoring an old raleigh record, I have located a bomb proof cro mo fork that I want to install. The frame is a 54cm and the fork is from a 60cm bike, can I use a threadless 1" stem clamped on to the 1" threaded steer tube? I have an old threadless headset and top cap,and the starfangled nut looks to be a good fit. Has anyone done this?
spinner5339
03-16-04, 05:09 PM
I have been thinking about the same thing but I don't think you should try it as the threaded fork is design to work with a quill system and the steerer tube is not design to clamp the stem onto. Its such a high risk component to fail at the wrong time.
Jonny B
03-16-04, 06:15 PM
I did that with the Look fork on my Fort. The steerer is ChrMo, if it was aluminum I probably wouldn't have risked it. As long as the stem isn't clamped to the threads you should be ok.
roadpig2001
03-17-04, 02:28 PM
I may have to go onto the threads. I may try a 1 1/8" stem with a 1" adapter sleeve ,that should isolate the stem from any damage from the threads. Thanks for the info.
Retro Grouch
03-17-04, 04:02 PM
I am restoring an old raleigh record, I have located a bomb proof cro mo fork that I want to install. The frame is a 54cm and the fork is from a 60cm bike, can I use a threadless 1" stem clamped on to the 1" threaded steer tube? I have an old threadless headset and top cap,and the starfangled nut looks to be a good fit. Has anyone done this?
I wouldn't. The thinest part of that steerer tube is where the threads are cut. Unless you have an ungodly long fork so that you can clamp below the threads, you will be causing a stress riser right at the base of your stem. If you hit a high speed downhill bump, all of your weight is going to be leveraged by your stem against that point. Your fork is only as bomb-proof as it's weakest part. That combination actually sounds pretty fragile to me.
Put the proper bearings on the fork and install a proper stem. Why would you want to risk it? If you have no quill stem, you can get very nice looking stems made by Nitto from Harris Cyclery in whatever length you need. These are beautiful single piece stems that should look similar to the original.
Jonny B
03-17-04, 06:17 PM
I may have to go onto the threads. I may try a 1 1/8" stem with a 1" adapter sleeve ,that should isolate the stem from any damage from the threads. Thanks for the info.
It's not about protecting the stem, it's about protecting the steerer (and you of course). As Retro Grouch said, the threads are the weakest point of the steerer. If it's ever going to snap as a result of this operation, it's going to snap there.
roadpig2001
03-18-04, 12:04 PM
Ok Im convinced , stupid idea, will try to find a proper NOS fork on ebay. Seemed like a good idea at the time,thanks for the input.
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