Threaded Headset to Threadless Conversion
 

I bought this frame on eBay and I am having a number of issues with deciding what stem and/or headset to buy. As you can see from the picture, the current one is pretty mank, and also the nut at the top is close to being rounded off.

http://i9.ebayimg.com/02/i/001/0f/47/e1e4_12.JPG

I am a bit (or very?) fussy and what I want is a) anatomic handlebars b) the bars, stem and headset to be the same colour c) handlebar clamp must be either hinged or removable (like on threadless stems).

Anyway, I have come to the conclusion that this is either not possible or comes up with a ridiculous cost to performance ratio. So... I would like to be converting the frame to a threadless headset and stem. I am not really sure about any of this but please could anyone confirm or correct any of the following:

1. Current steerer column is too short to be used with a threaded headset & stem
2. Current steerer column is not compatible with threaded headsets at all?
3. Current steerer column is currently 1" (25.4mm) diameter (22.2mm inside diameter)
4. New steerer column could be 1 1/8", or would it also have to be 1"? (frame pic to estimate head tube diameter)
5. There aren't any aheadset stems to fit 1" steerer tube
6. Threadless system is about 300g lighter than threaded?

Thanks for any advice! :)

Answers:

1. Yes
2. Yes
3 and 4. Yes. You'll have to stay with 1"
5. No, there are 1" threadless stems out there. Here. Google '1" threadless stems' and you'll find some. You can also shim a 1 1/8" to fit a 1"
6. Depends on too many factors. 300g is probably overstating the weight savings.

What size is your frame? I have an Alpha Q GS-20 1" treadless all carbon fork (rake is 44) and FSA 1" notheadset that i will be selling. Both less than 2 years and 10k miles old.They're currently installed on my 56cm IF Crown Jewel. The frame is cracked beyond repair (corrosion, not crash damage) and my new CAAD 9 and the replacement IF i will be getting both have 1 1/8" steerer tubes. As far as I'm concerned that fork and headset are just money laying around. The combo took almost a pound off my bike weight.

+1 for shimming an 1 1/8" stem. I have an FSA OS-115 stem on there now and it's shimmed. The stem came with the shim. It's rock solid.

Measure your headtube length and I'll let you know if my fork will work for you. I have it cut a little longer and have about 1" plus of spacers that gave me a more upright posistion.

My suggestion:

New 1" Threaded Headset - black - $20

Threadless Stem Adapter - black $-25

1 1/8" Stem - black - $17

Total = $62 plus shipping

Might be out of your price range, might not be........that keeps all the colors the same as long as you get a black handlebar.



Now, it would be cheaper if you didn't have to have the removeable/hinged faceplate on the front of the stem.

New 1" Threaded Headset - silver - $12

Stem - silver - $33

Total = $45 plus shipping

Personally, thats what I would do.



Annnnnnnnd, if you are dead set on going threadless......

1" Threadless Headset - black - $40

Threadless Stem compatible with 1" steer tubes - black - $20

Total is $60 plus shipping from 2 different companies.

Quick bit of research on the subject shows that 1" threadless is becoming a bit of an endangered species (according to sheldon brown and harris cyclery, anyways)......

There are usually plenty of 1 inch threadless forks on scambay at reasonable prices.

To answer these:

1) I think you meant to say threadless, in which case the answer is yes. But more importantly is that the current fork is not designed to be used with a threadless headset or stem. Clamping a threadless stem over the threads of a threaded steertube can be hazardous since the steertube is weaker there.
2) Correct, assuming you meant to say threadless.
3) Yes.
4) I would keep the current fork, honestly, but if you want to get another fork it would also have to be a 1" steertube
5) There are threadless stems out there for 1", but they are hard to find. The one that cyclocommute linked to looks solid, and the nashbar one I posted works just fine. I have the nashbar one on a threadless stem adapter on one of my bikes.
6) 300g seems a bit much, but I don't know any exact numbers, can't help you there.

http://www.garberdesign.com/bike/mutt1.jpg

Here is my threadless conversion.
Time 1" Fork, $45
XLab Headset, $12
Nashbar Stem + Handlebars, $30

Not the greatest looking bike (on the small side too), but it gets the job done.

Profile quill adapter, allows installation of a threadless stem on a bike with a threaded fork.

http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?p...jor=1&minor=22

Where does one find this Xlab headset?

eBay. It's made by Neco, so it's far from high end.