Originally Posted by
Doug Fattic
I still have a bunch of 1" threaded steerers that came from Miele. They include several brands including several with internal ribbing. Columbus steerers are easy to identify because they are spiral. I haven't bothered to identify the Japanese ribbed steerers but my recollection (without going to check) is that there are 2 kinds.
Columbus steer tubes have five helical ribs winding counterclockwise, viewed from the bottom. Tange Champion steer tubes have six helical ribs, winding clockwise, viewed from the bottom. Ishiwata steer tubes have straight ribs. IIRC, Vitus steer tubes also had helical ribs.