Primitive Don

I have a 2011 Fuji Sagres with a heavy 1 1/8" threaded SR Suntour suspension fork and a terrible adjustable stem that creaks like crazy. The specs say is has a "Fuji Leisure Sealed, Semi-Integrated 1 1/8" headset.

I would like to lose the suspension fork in favor of a rigid fork and a threadless headset/stem setup.

The 'semi-integrated' part has me concerned, though. I take it I can't just buy a 1 1/8" threadless headset for this?

Any pointers on what would be the best way forward to lose the terrible suspension fork and adjustable stem? Would like a lighter weight rigid fork setup.

Thank you!

Bike Gremlin

Make sure to look for a "suspension corrected fork", in order to not upset the bike geometry. It might work OK with a standard length fork, but it might also not work - having a twitchy steering.

jimc101

So what's the issue with the current headset? as you currently have a 1 1/8th threadless.

The difference between ZS (semi-integrated) and EC (External Cup) headset is how they are fitted into the frame, they function in the same way.

If swapping the forks, all that you would need to do is have the crown race removed from the current fork, and have it fitted to the new one.

Bezalel

[strike]Semi-integrated means Zero-Stack. The bearings are in cups but the cups are inside the headtube so the stack height is greatly reduced.

It is still a standard 1 1/8" steerer.[/strike]

Jamminatrix

OP has a threaded 1 1/8th.

I believe Fuji called it semi-integrated because it still had top locknut for threaded assembly, but otherwise, the frame is technically a normal integrated headset design (not semi-integrated with a bottom pressed cup), but uses open-ball bearings instead of cartridge bearings.

I'm not sure what OP's options are, because I believe the setup uses open-ball bearings, not a cartridge assembly. Finding an integrated, open-ball bearing top crown would be difficult.

habilis

If you can do this, you could just service the bearings in your existing headset and either replace or troubleshoot the creaky stem.

Primitive Don

Thanks for the replies, everyone! This helps me understand

I'm not having trouble with the headset. I just hate the stem and want to lose the shock fork. Sounds like I need to locate a 1 1/8 threaded stem and a 1 1/8 suspension corrected rigid fork.

I thought it would be better to upgrade to threadless, but from what I'm reading the chances don't look good.

Thanks again for your replies!

jimc101

I hadn't pickup up on the headset being threaded before, but even though the top cup is, you don't need to replace the complete headset if going threadless, just the top cup.

Cane Creek sell the top and bottom cups separately 10-Series

No reason why you can't upgrade to a threadless headset, the chances of getting a current/suspension corrected for are about zero so thinking this will probably be your only option.

For your current headset having open bearings, really not seeing why this is an issue, either replace, or leave alone (your be replacing the top assembly anyway), it doesn't matter what type of bearing they are in the bottom

FastJake

Never in my life did I expect to see a bike with a 1 1/8" threaded, semi-integrated headset. That's a weird one.

1 1/8" threaded is a pain due to its rarity. Stem selection is limited and you're still stuck with a threaded system. It will be almost impossible to find a rigid fork that fits your bike if you stay threaded.

Personally I would get a generic 1 1/8" threadless fork, stem, and figure out the upper bearing situation. It can't be that bad. I'm not good with the "integrated" stuff but there must be a threadless headset available for that frame.

Primitive Don

Good to know! Thank you.

Just want to make sure I'm getting the terminology correct. Is Zero Stack the same as Semi-Integrated? Since I have a threaded headset cap, I'm not sure exactly what type of cap needs to be there in a threadless setup.

Primitive Don

Yes, it is a bit of a head scratcher. I think that's what I'm going to try to do. I think I'll try to locate a a cap that would work with the current headset. Thanks for your reply!

Primitive Don

Jamminatrix

OP's frame doesn't have a pressed cup on the bottom or top. It's a standard integrated setup, just threaded.

I'd bet there's a caged bearing in there, not cartridge.

Primitive Don

As an update to this thread, I did upgrade to a threadless fork/stem setup on this bike, and I did so by buying a Ritchey Comp Semi Integrated Headset for $20 on eBay.

Ritchey Comp Press Fit Semi Integrated 44mm 1 1 8" Headset Black | eBay

Not only did the top cap fit, the bearings are an exact replacement for those in the Fuji headset. The crown race was a bit differently shaped but the ID was the same so I could press it onto the fork and everything fit together properly.

This is a big improvement over the creaky adjustable stem and cheap/heavy SR Suntour suspension fork. The front of the bike sits a touch closer to the ground, but this was not an issue for me on my test rides.

Primitive Don

Thanks for all of your suggestions!

FastJake

Nice. Glad to hear you figured it out. Threadless is a great solution.