Touring - 1" threadless touring fork?

I'm trying to re-build an older touring bike (a 1999 Novara Randonee) and I'm trying to replace the fork with a bit of newer technology.

I can't seem to find anything that will work...I've looked through the forum (my search is messed up for some reason--but I still didn't readily see anything regarding a 1" threadless touring fork).

With the help of google, I was able to find a Tange Prestige 1" threadless touring fork (supposedly with rack bosses and fender eyelets), but the picture is awful, and it's a "call for availability" item from a dealer I'm unfamiliar with.

I checked eBay but can't seem to find anything there, either.

Any suggestions? Anyone have an old one laying around, begging to be used?

This will be rare, both fork and headset. I once considered a similar option but then decided against using 1" threadless because it would be so difficult to find replacement parts if needed, especially quickly while on tour.

1" threadless carbon forks are common enough. Profile & Ritchy are usually available. You throw a shim on to use the 1 1/8" stems. Headseats should not be that hard to find. The bike is only 11 years old.

I'm trying to re-build an older touring bike (a 1999 Novara Randonee) and I'm trying to replace the fork with a bit of newer technology.

I can't seem to find anything that will work...I've looked through the forum (my search is messed up for some reason--but I still didn't readily see anything regarding a 1" threadless touring fork).

With the help of google, I was able to find a Tange Prestige 1" threadless touring fork (supposedly with rack bosses and fender eyelets), but the picture is awful, and it's a "call for availability" item from a dealer I'm unfamiliar with.

I checked eBay but can't seem to find anything there, either.

Any suggestions? Anyone have an old one laying around, begging to be used?


Upgrading to what? Bikes are not computers. A 1" threaded stem is every bit as good as a threadless one. In general , one doesn't mess with changing things like this on a bike. Use it as intended. You may be able to find another fork(The QBP catalog has plenty of choices) , but the dimensions will be different. The handling will change in an unpredictable way. Usually not for the better. You'd be rolling the dice in a big way.

I agree with Garthr, leave the fork and headset alone. If you want to use the newer stems and handlebars, buy a Nitto stem adapter (Google Nitto stem adapters). It costs a little bit more (around $40) than many the adapters, but it is very stiff and has quite a bit of vertical adjustability. It will feel just like the 1 1/8 threadless set ups.

I have to say, I am with the people that see absolutely no logic in a move like this. Unless you got into a front-end collision, your fork and headset are fine and will continue to be fine for years and years.

That said, your best bet is to find a used touring bike several sizes too large and chop off the threaded portion of the steerer tube.

If its not broken, why fix it? Looking at the pictures I see on the net, it already has eyelets and canti brake bosses (which might be good upgrades if they were lacking). And probably a nice amount of trail for easy stable riding. If it is broken then:

How about this nice steel Surly fork

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=7000

or this Tange Infinity CroMo fork

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=16881&category=704

Winwood Dusty Carbon

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=16881&category=704

Or the old Nashbar Cyclocross Carbon

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_175019_-1_201511_10000_200456