Threadless Headset Conversion
#1
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 40
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Threadless Headset Conversion
I have a 1999 Litespeed Titanium bike that is equipped with a threaded 1 inch headset and threaded carbon fork. Being titanium, the bike is in excellent condition. I would like to convert it to a 1 inch threadless headset and threadless fork. I would also need to invest in a 1 inch stem. Is the conversion possible with a 1 inch threadless headset and fork?
Thanks for your response.
Thanks for your response.
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,257
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From: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON
Bikes: Bianchi, Miyata, Dahon, Rossin
yes, it's possible. pretty simple.
since 1" threadless stems are hard to come by, what you can do is get a 1-1/8 threadless stem and use a shim on it.
since 1" threadless stems are hard to come by, what you can do is get a 1-1/8 threadless stem and use a shim on it.
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Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
#3
cab horn

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 28,353
Likes: 30
From: Toronto
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
I have a 1999 Litespeed Titanium bike that is equipped with a threaded 1 inch headset and threaded carbon fork. Being titanium, the bike is in excellent condition. I would like to convert it to a 1 inch threadless headset and threadless fork. I would also need to invest in a 1 inch stem. Is the conversion possible with a 1 inch threadless headset and fork?
Thanks for your response.
Thanks for your response.
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,657
Likes: 1,119
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
I did exactly the conversion you are asking about on a '96 Litespeed Catalyst. I installed an FSA Orbit II 1" cartridge bearing threadless headset, a Kestrel EMS Pro 1" threadless carbon fork (Cr-Mo steerer) and a 1-1/8" Forte (Performance's house brand) stem with the included reducer bushing. It worked out great.
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,657
Likes: 1,119
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
1. Upgrades are rarely rational unless, as you said, something is broken. That said, they are fun and we do it all the time anyway.
2. $100 won't touch it. A decent replacement headset will probably run about $40, the fork a minimum of $100 by itself and the stem at least $35. If the OP goes for the newer OS bars and stem, that will add at least $40 additional for the bars. And this all assumes the OP does the installation himself. Add what ever the shop cost if the LBS does the work.




