Originally Posted by ink1373
so...threaless stems are ugly. real ugly. i'm sure i'm not the only one that feels this way.
can anyone explain how rethreading works, or throw up some links? or failing that, a link to some attractive looking threadless stems?
1) you need a thread die to thread a steerer, and some experience. When you begin threading, you have to turn the handle (where the die is attached) half turn and then turn it back 1/8 turn so that the metal breaks, and repeat the process.
2) If a steerer is meant for a threadless stem then you should check its thickness first. The fork I have, which has a threadless steel steerer has a warning label that says that the thickness is not enough for threading.
3) Here is something you may like:
http://www.worldclasscycles.com/custom_stems.htm