Upgrading from threaded quill to threadless?

Question

I would like to change from a quill to threadless headset to give me more handlebar/stem options. What I'd like to know is what components do I need besides a threadless adapter? And do I have to change the headset? Once I change to a threadless can I change to a threadless fork?

Answer 1

i've never converted--threaded works just fine.  you can change stems and bars with threaded too, so why?

if you do convert, you will need a threadless fork and threadless headset.  i dont know what you do about your frame's head tube--i guess thats what the "adapters" are for?

Answer 2

You can change from threaded quill to threadless headset. First off make sure that the diameter of your steerer tube is the same as the threadless fork you would like to buy. Being that you have a threaded headset, it's safe to assume that you have a 1" fork on it.

Most modern threadless are 1 1/8". Still, you can convert your headset to a 1" threadless and use a 1" threadless fork. Not many companies make them but a good, reasonably priced 1" threadless fork can be had. Profile Design makes one and I believe that Performance Bike's inhouse brand, Forte, is offered in a 1" steerer tube as well. There are a few others but these stand out for best value. The part that is trick is that stems are generally 1 1/8" in diameter though. Lucky for you, yuou can purchase an adapter the fits over your steerer tube to convert it into a 1 1/8" diameter. Also there are stems that also come with a spacing so you can use them on a 1" steerer tube.

Once all that has been decided on, make sure that your stem is able to accomodate your handle bars. There are various diameter handlebars-from 25.4mm to 31.8mm-which is commonly known as oversized. Most bike companies are making the move to oversized because it's suppose to be stiffer. I don't know if that's hype or not, but that is where everyone is leaning towards. No worries though. If you want to stay with your current setup, there's a stem to fit your current handlebars.

On a side note, if you just wat to have more options on the stem and handlebars, you could just keep your current fork and headset and use another type of adapter, that allows you to switch your quill stem setup to a stem and handlebar setup without spending too much. I saw it in the Performance Bike catalog not long ago for around $25.You could put that where your stem goes, tighten it down in place of your quill stem, and add a new stem/handlebar setup.

Good luck.