Originally Posted by
Jeff Wills
Ding ding! The threadless forks steerer tubes I'm familiar with are typically less well finished than a similar threaded steerer tube. They might accept a quill stem... they might not.
I could be wrong. Check with Brett Flemming at Bike Gallery on Sandy (when he's around).
As my Pappy used to say: "Hogwarsh!" The tubing used for a threaded or threadless fork has the same diameter and "finish". You seem to be implying that threadless steer tubes are an inferior product which is not what I have observed in a couple of decades of bicycle wrenching.
Is it possible to thread a 1" threadless fork, so that it will work with a 1" threaded headset?
Anyone done this or had it done?
Why - I have an older bike that I'd like to convert to front disc for winter/rain/crud riding. But I don't like the look of older bikes with threadless headsets and stems.
And, anyone know of a carbon, disc, 700C, roadbike fork, with tight clearances (not some bow- legged cyclocross thing), with a 1" steerer suitable for threading?
Yes, it is possible but there are many caveats. First, the bike won't have the channel for a keyed washer. The keyed washer isn't absolutely necessary and would only be a problem with a centerpull type of caliper brake since the key keeps the hanger and brake anchor point from turning. That's not going to be an issue with a disk brake and isn't really an issue with a centerpull type since there are lots of hangers that clamp to the stem for threadless headsets.
Threading isn't that much of a problem if you have access to stem thread cutter. If you don't, don't even think about it since a Park FTS-1 threading set will cost you north of $250 if you are lucky. That's a lot of green for something that you'll use maybe once.
The really big problem is going to be finding a 1" fork that is disc brake ready. 1" forks are rare as hen's teeth as it is. 1" forks that can handle a disc brake start to enter Big Foot territory, i.e. they're mythical.