Threadless vs. Threaded Headsets

Why is a threaded headset better than threadless or vice versa?

I searched through the archive. I can't believe this is the first time this has been discussed but here goes. I've got my popcorn and a soda..... What do you think?!?

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Permalink Reply by S.Presley☠ on July 22, 2012 at 4:41am

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on July 22, 2012 at 4:51am

Threadless/threaded quill adapter.

Here is a shorter/lighter version I using on my Cyclocross bike.

I also have a "pop-top" standard threaded stem on my city bike with extra-long reach for that Dutch Bike feel/look. No need to break the brakes to get the handlebar on/off.

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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on July 22, 2012 at 5:56am

It matters to me that people use the right word, is that so wrong?

S.Presley☠ said:

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Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on October 2, 2017 at 2:14pm

If you were touring with 50 pounds of gear on the bike and if you were 100 miles away from civilization, and the bike fell over, which would you rather have at that particular moment, a quill stem or a threadless stem? Isn't there more of a chance the quill stem will come out of alignment and ruin your steerer, making it impossible to ride the bike any further?

Also, if you were to wreck on the bike, which do you think is more likely to survive, a quill stem in a threaded steerer or a threadless stem on a threadless steerer?

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Permalink Reply by mike w. on October 3, 2017 at 4:13am

Never had that issue.

If your loaded bike fell over hard enough to ruin your steerer, i'd think you'd also have even bigger issues with your bike and kit than that. (One good reason to avoid kickstands and to simply lay your bike gently on its side.)

In falls and crashes, the quill stem on my bikes have gotten knocked out of alignment, but are easily twisted back into line with no issues (and there's a 6mm allen key on my "rescue" mini-tool in my seat bag just in case.) What usually does get trashed are bar tape, brake levers, and in rare instances, the bars themselves, but rarely to the point of being unrideable.

Of greater concern than the steerer getting roached in a crash is that of one's "brifters" being destroyed. These can be very expensive to replace -they're seldom repairable. That's one major reason i have never used them on any of my bikes.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on October 2, 2017 at 4:54pm

Wow, I would never imagined that headsets would become such a heated topic! Both types work just fine on my recreational level. I've never had a serious problem with either kind. I do like the adjustability of the quill stems. Cutting a steerer tube permanently reduces its usability to different-sized users, regardless of adapters.

So what's up next in the biking cage match? Cup and cone bottom brackets versus sealed bearing? Woo hoo!

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Permalink Reply by Paul Lazzaro on October 3, 2017 at 1:11am

I like quill stems a little better. I like to be able to easily adjust the height of my handlebars. But I have both and they both work fine. As an old guy, I'm just more familiar and comfortable with quill.

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Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on October 3, 2017 at 4:25am

As is often the case, the tail is wagging the dog:

So why are threadless systems popular? They are promoted by big bike manufacturers to lower production cost. Only one size fork need be made for each frame and it does not need the additional steps of cutting a keyway and threading. Then the fork steerer is cut to size by the customer or bike shop. This results in a huge cost saving for a big bike manufacturer.

http://velo-orange.blogspot.com/2009/12/threaded-headset-basics.html