Originally Posted by cyccommute
Adjusting a threaded headset is a nightmare! You need a minimum of 2 large wrenches and lots of time. First you tighten the upper race by hand to take up slack, then you tighten the lock nut slightly. You want to slightly over tighten because you are going to back the race off against the lock nut. You check to see if the headset is binding or loose, then loosen the locknut (and the race usually), adjust the race, and start again. You have to make sure that the headset isn't binding by turning it from side to side and then check to see if it isn't too loose by rocking the bike against the brake. Trust me, it is a royal pain!
The only reason you have all this guessing and checking is because you're not using the other wrench to hold the element in place. This is why you are using TWO headset wrenches.
Seriously, it takes about 2 minutes to adjust a threaded system. All this fear mongering for no reason.
Originally Posted by catatonic
Because they aren't as easy to wrk with?
Remove handlebar from threaded: remove bartape, brifters, and all other accessories, pull bar though stem.
Oh please. They make quill stems with removeable face plates. The other option is getting a threaded/threadless adapter. More fear mongering.