Originally Posted by
TiHabanero
On two previous bikes I have set up Chris King no thread headsets on threaded steerers ...it works the way it is set up using the top nut as the compression force.
With you so far.
Originally Posted by
TiHabanero
...a clamp down cable hanger as the setting device so that it does not come loose.
So the cable hanger takes the place that would otherwise have been occupied by the top race?(2nd from top, not counting spacers or washers)
Unless the cable hanger is used, you might get a neater look if you can find a fitting seat post collar.
There are also top races with a clamping feature, they pull together like seat post collars and let you do without locknut.
One of those flipped over would also work.
Originally Posted by
TiHabanero
one of the persnickety wrenches laughed and said I was going to ruin the headset or crash from a component failure..
Can't see why.
You have preload, and a way to lock it in place.
And a quill stem in a steerer that expects to be used with a quill stem.
You MIGHT, possibly, have some wear/chafing issues eventually due to the threadless headset now resting against a threaded surface.
My guess is that it will take plenty of miles to get there, if ever.
And it's very unlikely to toss you into the ditch.
Riding with a loose HS would be a very unusual cause of loss of control.
Originally Posted by
TiHabanero
Told him it was all I had once and made it work and now have used it on two bikes this way without any issues.
IMO, that's a perfectly fine approach. The parts are used close enough to their original purpose that it should work and not add any important amount of risk. What you're most likely to lose from trying is time.
Originally Posted by
TiHabanero
Going to do it again on a third bike.
I probably wouldn't.
I'm all for using what's on hand, but if I have to buy stuff anyhow, I prefer to buy parts that are intended to go together.
If nothing else, it might make life easier for some unsuspecting future mechanic/owner.
Unless there's a functional advantage to a mixed set of parts of course. And maybe you have that many CK HS and clamp-on cable hangers in stock?