rethreadding?
 

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?

I don't know if I'll be much help (in fact I have a feeling I might make it more confusing), but to thread a piece of metal you need a tool which the name I would think is called a threader (not be sarcastic). In the case of a stem or fork you need the one that looks like a big bar with a big circle in the middle. In that circle you put your bit (depending on the size of thread you need) and put the fork in the circle, slowly make circular motions with the tool. The bit should grab hold into the metal and start its way down. You want to be sure to retrace your threading, meaning once you go forward with a cut, go back, then go forward again. This acts to break any metal threads that may still be in the bit, and makes a cleaner cut. Its really easy...at least this is what I think of rethreading.

it's called a thread die. you turn the thread die with cutting oil around the steer tube and it cuts the threads into it...

cinelli made a threadless stem called the 'alter', which is rather unique and nice looking... in my opinion. they don't make them anymore though, so you'd have to check ebay... stella azura, deda, 3ttt, syntace and itm also make some really nice looking threadless stems. deda's magic, newton, and newton pista are all super nice. you need an oversized bar for most deda stems though... such as the deda pista or velocita. hot stuff.


of course, all of this is a matter of opinion. i guess you need to form your own, but it sounds like you already have... get off your lazy bum and do some research.

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

i agree with g taco, most threadless steerers are not thick enough to cut threads into. also if you have a 1 1/8" steerer you could have a dilemma since every quill stem i have seen is for 1 in steerers. if you do have a one inch steerer, it would be much better to just buy a threaded fork and headset. tap and die sets aren't cheap, they are easy to use if you know what you are doing, but to find one with a one inch die would cost you.

wow, that custom stem is gorgeous.

i'm a little afraid to see the price...

How about swapping out your fork to a threaded one? The quick and lazy way out!