I have my older brother's KONA MTB Frame (frame, seat post & fork only) and i found out that the fork is threaded and is stuck. I disassembled the fork and found out that it needs replacement, but the problem is my LBS does not sell threaded forks anymore. I was wondering if i can instead purchase a threadless fork for the frame. I hope some of you guys can help. TY

Also, I forgot to mention that the size is 1" and I completely removed it from the frame.

There are some 1" threadless forks sold, so look around. You'll also need to replace the headset & handlebar stem.

There are also still threaded forks sold, though you may need to cut and thread them to size, which adds to the cost. So Take your time and explore the total cost of both a threaded replacment, including the labor to cut and thread is needed, and a threadless fork, plus stem and headset.

As for sourcing, try the various internet sites, since 1" forks are in the minority now, and local shops are less likely to have much selection (if any).

Thanks for the reply FBinNY. One last thing, if ever i change to threadless, will that have an effect on the bike, or on the rider? Just curious if it might cause me accidents.

Going threadless will have no effect on the bike/rider, on the basis that you use parts which are fit for purpose, how do you anticipate that it will cause an accident? You are aware that almost all bikes produced today have a threadless headset setup.

Well, I was just curious really, because it's not the type of fork intended for the type of frame.

The fork steerer tube type fitted to a bike doesn't matter, whether you use a threaded or threadless the fork, as long as it's the correct size/type to fit the headset/stem fitted.

The only reasons why you bike doesn't have a threadless steerer from new, is, as they weren't widely fitted till around 1994/5 & Kona were very late adopters of the technology (1997), which indicates your bike was produced in 1996 or earlier,

Thanks for the advice jimc101. Though I will try to find a threaded fork, at least now I have an option for a threadless fork if in case I don't find any.

I needed to find a threaded fork recently and was able to find one on Niagara Cycle's web site:

https://www.niagaracycle.com/categori...?sort=priceasc

Sorry SkyDog i can't reply to your private message because it says I must post at least 50. Anyway thanks for the offer, but I wonder how much will be the cost for shipping. Honestly, I'm not used to buying online, so I really don't know anything about shipping cost, but thanks anyway, maybe if you know how much it will cost just tell me and I'll think about it. Thanks again.

I think he's suggesting you go shopping online at Niagara.

If shopping on the internet , be aware that shipping costs vary tremendously depending on the country of origin. Shipping from the USA is probably about the highest, with the lowest rates being in Hong Kong and China. Rates from the UK are comparatively low, and many sellers based there offer low or free shipping worldwide.

So be sure to search from sites in various countries, and compare not only the price for the fork, but the total cost including shipping to the Philippines.

I did suggest Niagara Cycle, but I also sent him a PM to offer a spare 26" MTB rigid fork I have. I'm probably not going to use it, so he can have it for the cost of shipping: $13-15 at worst, within the U.S., judging by the UPS and USPS online calculators. Of course, we'd need to compare the length of the steerer tube and the length of the threaded portion to make sure it's compatible. I can measure mine when I get home later today.


Ah, I just noticed he added his location to his profile... Never mind!

Sorry for bothering you SkyDog75. Anyways, I've found a 1" steerer tube for a threaded fork but lacks the lock nut and all others, just plain tube. So, thanks for all your suggestions/help/advice.

That's how all forks come, threaded or threadless; no hardware, all the fixing hardware is included in the headset

Finally, I got a threaded fork complete with the headset. Now I'm wondering if I can use a stem for a threadless fork or must I use a quill stem.

You need a quill stem.

Ok, it's qill stem then. Thanks Airburst

You can use a quill stem adaptor too. The quill part will fit inside the steerer tube, and leave a cylindrical surface above where a (these days) regular stem can clamp on.

Are you sure BTW that you really need an 1" fork? Is it the inner or outer diameter of the steerer tube you've measured?
I've done a fork swap on an old Kona, and that was 1 1/8" threaded.

It's the inner diameter I measured and it's 1", I tried to fit my marzocchi dj3 on it. It's a really an old KONA bike frame, I can't even remember when my brother bought it. It's rear suspension are horizontal instead of vertical like the new KONAs.

For anyone else facing a shop that does not stock threaded forks (forcing one to get a new headset and stem): I'm not in the loop as far as the retail biz, but I'd find it hard to believe that a shop could not still order a threaded fork from one of their regular suppliers, though it could vary greatly as far as how quickly one could be obtained.

Yeah you're right. I bought mine from another region here in the PHILS. Restoring old bike is one tough job.

Forks are usually talked about using the outer diameter of the steerer tube, not the inner. If you've shopped an 1" fork it is unlikely to fit your bike and headset.

And what do you mean by "I tried to fit my marzocchi dj3 on it"?
Did the MZ fit your headset?
If it did, the odds that you actually need an 1" fork suddenly plummeted even further. Measure the OD of that MZ steerer, it should come up as 1 1/8" or 28.6 mm.

No dabac it did not fit. I only tried it to see if it will.

When you say it didn't fit, was this with or with out the headset fitted? as no correctly sized fork will fit a frame with out the correctly sized headset fitted as well.