Threadless and Threaded forks

sparrowlegs78
sparrowlegs78 Posts: 2,583
edited December 2007 in MTB workshop & tech
Daft question alert here.
What is the difference between threaded and threadless forks/headsets?
I get all confused as to what each one is :oops:
Many thanks from Thicky Caz xx

Comments

  • Also what i want to know is what is the name for the name of the set ups that have a stem and steering tube as one that you slot into the forks and tighten with a big crush washer via an allen key at the top.
    Reason being that my Hubby has got a bike with this set up and he could do with better forks on the bike, but i don't know what to look for as a replacement. :oops:
    Thanks again, Caz xx
  • Andy B
    Andy B Posts: 8,115
    That style is a threaded fork, not sure about what fork you could use as an upgrade as most are now threadless & a different size (1 1/8" or sometimes 1.5") steerer tube (the bit that runs through the frame of the bike)
    2385861000_d125abe796_m.jpg
  • Cool, thanks for that, now i know what direction to head in....good old Ebay might be able to throw something up.
    You are a star, thanks, Caz x
  • stumpyjon
    stumpyjon Posts: 3,983
    Main difference is the way they hold on to the frame and how the stem is attached.

    Threaded forks have a big nut effectively which threads down over the fork and clamps it to the frame. The stem then sits inside the steerer tube and is held in place with a quill or wedge that you tighten up via a hex head bolt on top. With these forks you can remove the bars and the stem and the forks will stay attached to the frame.

    Threadless forks are clamped with the stem (type with two hex bolts at the back) and also have another bolt that runs down from the top which screws into the star washer. If you remove the stem and bars from this type the forks will fall out of theframe :D .

    it might be difficult to get hold of a decent set of forks with a threaded steerer tube. However you can fit threadless forks but you will need a new headset (bearings and cups) and a new stem. Probably best going to your LBS if you want to go down this route (which I'd recommend) as you'll need to remove the old bearing cups and have new cups fitted which can require special tools, plus you want to make sure the frame / steerer tube on the forks and new headset are all compatible.

    It's not as complicated as I've made it sound (or as expensive, stem should be around £ 20 and the headset around £ 15 or as with everything else up to mega money).
    It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

    I've bought a new bike....ouch - result
    Can I buy a new bike?...No - no result