scottrbenn

Thanks in advance for any help here.....

I bought a threadless 1" carbon fork for my road bike that currently has a 1" threaded fork on it.

I have a stem, bars, etc. Will I be able to just remove the old fork and stick the new threadless one in, install the stem on the fork and take off riding, or do I need to buy a new headset?

I'm confused.

Reynolds 

You'll need a threadless headset, spacers, top cap, star-fangled nut and stem. If you don't have experience, better take the bike to your LBS to do it.

dsbrantjr

"If you don't have experience, better take the bike to your LBS to do it."

+1, there is cutting involved which if not done correctly can result in a ruined fork.

FBinNY 

As above regarding parts, except that one never uses a star nut with a carbon fork. These require an expansion plug, or other fork specific system supplied with the fork. A starnut will damage the fork, possibly enough to lead to eventual failure.

Installation isn't difficult for anyone with reasonable mechanical skills. He most important thing is to remember "measure twice, cut once". You have to allow enough length for the headset, stem and any spacers. Most experienced mechanics make a first cut generously long, and stack extra spacers above the stem, so they can ride and confirm the desired stem height, then make a final cut after their position is dialed in.

You can cut the fork with a sharp 32tpi hacksaw blade, and dress the cut surface with a sandpaper wrapped around a block. If you're not a master of the straight cut, use two hose clamps 3mm apart as guides and the saw will follow them down.

Or, as noted, you can let a shop do the job.

CACycling

That is true if the steerer is carbon. Some carbon forks have alloy steerers and a star nut is fine on those.

FBinNY 

Yes, I could have (should have?) been a bit clearer and said carbon steerers, not carbon forks. OTOH over advised, is better than under advised.

scottrbenn

Yea it's a carbon fork/alloy steerer. I think a star nut will work.

fietsbob

Just consider you may not like a short steerer forever and it wont grow back..

so I recommend buying enough spacers (maybe the shop will buy back the extras later )
to let the stem be anywhere on the length of the steerer tube , with some spacers above and some Below .

then ride the bike a while First..

If the steerer is carbon it may not tolerate much length above the top headset race .. because of the leverage on it.

then you just have to like the racer's low crouch .. that is what you are buying into..

Reynolds 

Correct, I don't know why I assumed the steerer was metal. Could be my old-fashioned subconscient resistance to carbon steerers...

FBinNY 

That's OK, I assumed it was probably carbon, and it turns out it was aluminum.

All of who try to help folks are working blindfolded and have to make calculated guesses based on incomplete or inaccurate info. Such is life here on BF

NormanF

You'll need a stem riser also, unless you like to ride low on the bars.

CACycling

Without knowing the geometry of the frame or the rise of the stem, not sure how this would be known.