Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Threaded to Threadless?

Search
Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Threaded to Threadless?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-10-10, 09:37 AM
  #1  
HomeBrew Master!
Thread Starter
 
Gus Riley's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: West Central Illinois
Posts: 2,208

Bikes: Aegis Aro Svelte, Surly LHT, Cannondal R3000 tandem, Santana Triplet.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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.
Gus Riley is offline  
Old 09-10-10, 09:43 AM
  #2  
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NW,Oregon Coast
Posts: 43,598

Bikes: 8

Mentioned: 197 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7607 Post(s)
Liked 1,355 Times in 862 Posts
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.
fietsbob is offline  
Old 09-10-10, 09:49 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656

Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!

Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,095 Times in 741 Posts
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.
HillRider is offline  
Old 09-10-10, 09:50 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656

Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!

Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,095 Times in 741 Posts
Originally Posted by fietsbob
....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.
HillRider is offline  
Old 09-10-10, 10:07 AM
  #5  
headtube.
 
zzyzx_xyzzy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 803
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
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.
zzyzx_xyzzy is offline  
Old 09-10-10, 10:15 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656

Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!

Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,095 Times in 741 Posts
Originally Posted by zzyzx_xyzzy
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.
HillRider is offline  
Old 09-10-10, 12:14 PM
  #7  
HomeBrew Master!
Thread Starter
 
Gus Riley's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: West Central Illinois
Posts: 2,208

Bikes: Aegis Aro Svelte, Surly LHT, Cannondal R3000 tandem, Santana Triplet.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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.
Gus Riley is offline  
Old 09-10-10, 02:14 PM
  #8  
Banned.
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 732
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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.
cappuccino911 is offline  
Old 09-10-10, 06:49 PM
  #9  
Old fart
 
JohnDThompson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,779

Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.

Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3583 Post(s)
Liked 3,395 Times in 1,929 Posts
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?
JohnDThompson is offline  
Old 09-11-10, 05:46 AM
  #10  
HomeBrew Master!
Thread Starter
 
Gus Riley's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: West Central Illinois
Posts: 2,208

Bikes: Aegis Aro Svelte, Surly LHT, Cannondal R3000 tandem, Santana Triplet.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by JohnDThompson
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.
Gus Riley is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jonwvara
Classic & Vintage
82
03-17-18 03:31 PM
SoreFeet
Framebuilders
9
02-16-13 03:52 PM
RoyIII
Bicycle Mechanics
10
04-03-12 08:49 AM
hule
Bicycle Mechanics
6
08-27-11 10:12 AM
gusmanchu
Road Cycling
9
11-08-10 04:27 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.