Bicycle Mechanics - Threaded to Threadless?

Is a threaded to threadless conversion possible? I'm looking for a conversion that totally changes the fork, headset, bearings; everything associated with a threaded headset...not an adapter stem or something like that. Or do frame differences between the two technologies make a conversion impossible.

This question has got to have been asked before, but I haven't been successful in finding it. Sorry if it has.

There are 1" and 9/8" steerers in both types , but a threaded fork doesn't need to be very long to be long enough to be threaded , but much longer for threadless because it is also a tube for the stem itself to grip.

so if you get a really long replacement fork that sticks 6 inches or more above the minimum,
then you can consider the threadless direct installation.

The conversion is both possible and easy, assuming a bit of expense doesn't bother you. I've done it to three different bikes over the past few years.

Your new fork will have to have the same steerer diameter as your old one and the new threadless headset will have to match the diameter also. You remove the threaded fork and headset, press in the new headset, install the new crown race on the new fork and assemble everything.

I recommend you leave the new fork's steerer extra long so you have to place spacers above the stem at first. That way you can determine the handlebar height you want and be certain of it before cutting the steerer to final length. Remeber, you can cut it shorter but you can't cut it longer. :)

....so if you get a really long replacement fork that sticks 6 inches or more above the minimum,
then you can consider the threadless direct installation.
That would be the case only if the OP wanted to use an existing threaded fork. He is planning to buy a new threadless fork so the point is moot.

Though if the frame is large (say, 63cm or above) then you'll probably want to track down a fork with a 350mm or 400mm steerer.

Though if the frame is large (say, 63cm or above) then you'll probably want to track down a fork with a 350mm or 400mm steerer.
Good point. Most steerers are 300 mm and intended for the more common 60 cm and smaller frames.

Really I had no idea if this was possible. Sounds like it is. I guess I assumed that new frames were different some how...and maybe they are, headset diameter size wise.

Yeah, I have no problem spending some $$ to update, say my Aegis Aro Svelteto a threadless frame.

Thanks everyone for the threadless education.

I did this quite economically a couple of months ago with nashbar 1 inch threadless carbon fiber fork which was only about 70 bucks, a new headset, stem, and bars from eBay seller abaxo cost me 50 total. The bike I did this too had steel everything; stem, fork and bars. This $120 investment shaved 4 lbs off the bike and getting rid of the steel wheels for low end alloys saved another 4lbs. Be forewarned, purists will ***** at you for doing it and swear it won't add value. But if your gonna keep the bike for you to ride its a good investment. In the end I sold the bike for $250 but I do live in nyc where people have more $ to spend.

Yes, it's possible, but what are you hoping to gain by making the switch? Might it be more cost effective to sell the old bike and replace it with a new one that already has a threadless fork and stem?

Yes, it's possible, but what are you hoping to gain by making the switch? Might it be more cost effective to sell the old bike and replace it with a new one that already has a threadless fork and stem?

I doubt it. A new Aegis frame is expensive, especially if I replace the Svelte with a Victory (which is what I would do). Selling the Svelte probably wouldn't put much of a dent into the price of a Victory frame. Besides, tinkering is fun too.