Should I go threadless?
 

I just got my hands on an Iro BFSSFG group buy frame, 1" threaded. I was going to go that route, but I need a short stem, so I was considering going threadless.

I had a lack of funds so I was going to stick w/ threaded, but now I have run into some money and am definitely considering the switch. I'm thinking of getting a 1" carbon fork and getting the star nut and all that setup...

Thoughts? Should I go this route or stick w/ the threaded and attempt to find a quill stem short enough?

Threadless will give you a stiffer stem/fork interface, and the option of buying a potentially lighter and stiffer bar/stem combo than what is available for threaded. This is not necessarily important unless you are a sprinter and/or have enough experience to actually be able to notice the difference. Threaded supposedly looks better, but I've learned to like the look of threadless. Threaded on a new frame looks sort of retro-pointless-suboptimal-faux NJS to me. For something as basic as an IRO, I'd just do what's cheapest or most convenient.

As far as convenience goes, it is easier to find a shorter threadless stem rather than a shorter quill..plus I change bars a lot so that would be nice..

As far as price,like I said, I have enough to cover the cost.

If you are willing to buy all the parts, you can't go wrong with threadless. Just make sure you don't cut your steerer tube too short. There's nothing wrong with keeping it long enough to put a spacer or two above your stem. Since, you change bars a lot and/or like to experiment with different bar/stem combos, its nice to have the option of raising or lowering your stem.

Personally, I run my stem pretty low, but raise it up (or even flip it) when I plan on doing a really really long ride. I also raise it a bit in the winter to accomodate decreased flexibility due to wearing more clothes. Versatility is your friend.;)

Complete waste of money.

What is your definition of a "short" quill stem?

threadless is ugly and pointless unless youre a gram counting *****

This is not a very useful or well thought out post.

you should just get yourself a nitto deluxe stem:

http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...roducts_id=896

you can get the ****ers as short as 50mm. $40 isn't super cheap, admittedly, but arguably better looking and significantly less than you'll spend to cover the bike over to threadless.

60mm

carbon forks are ugly turds and they will break and kill your tasteless ass. threadless stems are hideous lumps of black aluminum 75% of the time the other 24% are hideous lumps of carbon. maybe 1% look okay. anyway who are you to judge my posts why dont you go ride your probably extremely ugly bike and shut up.

This is not a very useful or well thought out post.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...s/DSC01179.jpg

This is short.

I guess for the amount I'd be spending on going threadless I could just get....multiple stems for different bars.

y do u NEED a short stem?

^ding ding. and it will look better. good luck.

because i have a short torso + arms

I prefer servicing threaded.

To me threadless is an answer to a question nobody asked.

WTF... is this 1994??? Yes you should go threadless. You should also upgrade your BETAmax and 8track.

threaded 4 life

i'd say biggest advantage to threadless is that there are more stems with removable faceplates that are easily available.

heres the question

do you actually know what stem length and rise you need

and do you plan on changing bars often
?

you pretty much have no idea what you are talking about.

also, tightening a threadless headset is easy, requires only an allen wrench... plus you don't have to worry about getting the bottom of your stem stuck in your headtube.

1inch stuff isn't as common but it's still widely available. the biggest problem i've had with my threaded setup is the lack of good open faced stems. i finally have a salsa stem that is pretty nice, but it definitely doesn't offer the same flexibility.

speaking of flexibility can you folks flex the **** out of threaded stems or what

that does not feel efficient

I have a 60mm 2.54 Custom stem in the shed, they are pretty easy to find since alot of old schwinn's and stuff had them. There's a ton of them in the used parts bin at Recycled Cycles in Seattle too.

I like threaded quill stems!

If you can handle 70mm check out the Shimano's ( I just got one and it is beautiful!)

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/stems.asp