Convert from Threaded To Threadless Forks - 1 1/8 to 1 1/8 inch

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

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[@Ethan-nw5uk]

Hey i have a 15/16th size stem will this work?

[@bnick25352535]

Have a Cannondale sl4 has 1.5 head tube,not to many options in stems out there can i use a 11/8 somehow with a shim or to dangerous ived heard.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

@@bnick25352535 You mean install a 1 1/8 fork? I wouldn't do it. Try to find an oversized fork. Check ebay.

[@hubertdevocion2449]

Hi sir, i really need your help. I have a 26er standard steel MTB and i wanted to replace the fork but i'm not sure if the fork that i'll replace will fit to the head tube. I bought a 26er fork and the upper tube measures 28.6, i just wan't to ask you sir if the fork that i bought will fit to my standard MTB. I wanted to do some upgrades of my bike and i hope you can help me sir ☺ thank you so much.

[@NikkiNexo777]

This video popped up in my KZbin feed today and came at the perfect time. I'm converting a 1" threaded to a 1 and 1/8 Threadless on a Schwinn klunker project with BMX bars. Great video! This conversion is much easier than I anticipated. Thanks again.

[@nuclearguitarfare4653]

Can't be anymore of a clunker than my royce union someone gave me for helping him move lol. But it has a euro bottom bracket so I rebuilt it. Replaced everything but the forks sofar. Turned out to be a pretty nice ride!

[@smiff4748]

Greetings from the UK. Thank you so much for this my friend. I have watched quite a few video's concerning changing to a threadless headset but they were in no way as good as your video. You explained everything so that even an old fart like me could understand how to do this task. Keep up the excellent work. Once again thank you.

[@stitchilalu]

Absolutely love your videos. I hadnt seen this one before but I wanted to check your methods considering I am going to be putting some threadless forks on a few frames. I love that you dont use commercial tools. I use most of these methods myself. I don't have cups installed on the frames but loving that split metal tube for removing the cups, its just simple and brilliant. This kind of thing really allows bike building and maintenance to be accessible. Thank you, I really appreciate it

[@lifelong5425]

Amazed at the flow of process, and the sudden desire I have to tackle these projects, as I am about to get a vintage bike to enjoy, and perhaps do some upgrades on....The videos are wonderfully easy to follow.

[@unclefreddieDied]

awesome 👍 I grabbed a bike that was out for the trash... thanks to these videos I'm gonna be doing some upgrades... been a while since I've been out on a mountain bike! thanks RJ for the inspiration!

[@Mtbmx_evolution]

Probably This is Best Bike KZbin Chanel !!

[@kacooksabasakusina2905]

gmbn is the best

[@thatthingyoudo6398]

Perhaps in english. in spanish we have mundomammoth and is great also

[@mouthpiece9980]

Hi my name is Jerry and I'm a lifelong bike enthusiast and I like your Channel but I need to ask just to see if I'm right or wrong when you put that dust ring around the stem before the spacers I'm thinking it should have been put on after the spacers please let me know if I'm wrong all right thank you!

[@AindriuMacGiollaEoin]

I'm going to change my old MTB from 1 inch threaded to 1 inch threadless, this video helped a lot

[@tobins6800]

Hint and tip, a socket or 2 in the headtube that fits without binding inside can greatly assist in keeping the all-thread centered.

[@DMGamer_PC]

Genuinely thought that because I was going from 1 1/8 threaded to 1 1/8 threadless I could use the same pieces... Didn't realize until I had everything ready that I had no way to tighten down the caps for the bearings x3 Thank you for the informational video; also realizing I need to hit up my local hardware store so I can jury rig some press/impact tools with some threaded rods and washers. Love to see homemade tools perform as well as custom ones!

[@williamthornton8151]

I just wanna say thank you so much for making your videos. This one specifically and the headset cup remove tool and press tool helped me tremendously and my build is now complete. Your the best man

[@supamadevu4512]

Love the elbow grease and Flintstone tech used, exactly what I need for my (not sure yet) next project. Love when I can do the job without spending in expensives one time use tools. Thanks again.

[@matrixracing8268]

I Found a Old Roadmaster Steel Frame With Everything On It and I Put my Suntour XCT Fork On It and Then I Went Mountain Biking! ThankYou For The Tutorial!

[@himawariuzumaki1320]

Suntour xct with the spring? I think i have that one too. I didn't know the headset is the only problem inorder for me to use the other fork.

[@CGGarage]

I put the same set of forks on today on my 90s huffy mtb! How do you like the shocks?

[@matrixracing8268]

@@CGGarage Fork Or Shock?

[@schrodingerthecat]

6 years after you posted this video helped me out upgrading my old GT mountain bike. Thank you!

[@fceuropa]

Answered 90% of my questions in the first 2 minutes. RJ you have amazing presentation skills. Nothing missed, nothing extra. Love it.

[@victorlozada1]

Thanks for the video simply and perfectly explained, in my personal opinion I prefer a threadless fork because transform your bike completely and give a fresh look thanks again for the video and God bless you

[@TheAugiedoggie1]

AWSOME video! I have a Trek 970 I am converting to a Trekking bike and want to update to threadless head set. You just showed me how to do this. On a side note I started cycling in the mid 80's and learned to do my own maintenance on my 7 bikes (all Treks). Your grip trick using alcohol was cool. I used to use women's hair spray which also acted as a glue when dried holding the grip in place. I have subscribed to your video's which will help me build this bike. Thanks!!

[@chosenideahandle]

Can you use men's hairspray? Lol.

[@xenon9887]

If you trapped the washers touching the cup between two tightened bolts, it would ensure that the pressing surface is always straight. Then you only have to worry about the set of washers on the end you are tightening.

[@ver251209]

nuts

[@JamesDavis-kp4ll]

That's a good point, I just "upgraded" mine, thanks! 👍 Although you did mean nuts, but still..., 🤝

[@BlackJacketWasp]

Thanks for yet another definitive tutorial. As always, I am grateful that I don't have to do a trial-and-error.

[@TekDristan]

Good information, as always. I tend to shy away from bikes with threaded headsets. Now I know how to change it if need be.

[@SFCRambo60]

You should put your cups in the freezer for a couple hours, they will almost fall in. Even just use a hair dryer to heat up the tube before installing will help.

[@KarlosEPM]

@SFCRambo60 is this really true? I'm renovating an old bike and this would help me tons.

[@kieranh2005]

Yup. Best if you do both. Shrink the cups and expand the steering head.

[@ericwarburton]

🤦‍♂️ Use a cup press and grease.

[@cristianomoreira8775]

Man congrats for this video, serious. For monts i seach for some solution for the problem of my old bike and on the Brazil don't find nothing too easy like this on your video! I'm glad for this channel exist and in this moment i will order my solution on the amazon lol! Hug from Brazil!

[@pahaahv]

Threaded stems have one very important advantage for me as opposed to threadless stems and that is adjustable height. I have a Scott MTB I picked up for 20 bucks and it would be perfect if I could raise the handlebars maybe 5 cm higher, but it's threadless stem is already as low as it can be and the fork tube is cut to the exact size in factory. Right now having done maintenance on older and newer bikes I'd say the stems and saddle attachments look better nowadays but were easier to work with way back when.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Threadless stem come in different lengths and angles to help adjust height. As well as the spacers.

[@SonnetGomes]

Thank you so much. This is a very helpful video. If not for this video, I would have probably had the headset reversed. Glad I found this video. Can't thank you enough for how immensely for all you do and how helpful all your videos are. Thank you!

[@DBDUFIEBTHDHDV]

MUST AMAZING AND NECESARY VIDEO EEEEEVEEEEER! I mean it. I have a threaded fork and I didn't think a conversion could be possible. I can make my bike better. Thank you so much!

[@mockingbird_proxi]

I thought I broke my headset since the tube with thread broke. The first picture of the threaded fork cleared my vision😅 That good damn threaded tube was part of the fork. Now the Threadless conversation is justified🤤

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

SuperSayanFitness, I wouldn't call it a "low quality" suspension fork. It is a good fork, just not the latest and greatest. But most of the newest forks are set up for disc brakes and don't even have the mounts for cantilever/v-brakes.

[@creaturedanaaaaa]

What if I sawed off the threadless steerer tube, welded on a 1 inch threaded one and then just used an amazon threaded to threadless fork converter?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

You are on your own with that! Keep in mind, when a fork fails, it generally fails catastrophically at the worst time.

[@paulavram2759]

how i replace a suspension fork but my handle bar is a old one and i dont have a better one?

[@wecf1411]

Pateu Vegetal try to buy one off a friend or find a good deal on craigslist, eBay or any other selling platform. Maybe a bike shop might have one to sell for cheap.

[@casperadventures9569]

@@RJTheBikeGuy it is 25.4 fork?

[@Grizzly907LA]

Seems, pretty straight forward. You and others got me inspired. Bought three frames today, and hopefully I can build at least one bike.

[@joebananas4741]

Very good video. Clear and concise instructions. Love the homemade tools. That little grease gun is neat too. I'm actually thinking of junking my sprung fork for a rigid as it is so heavy. At least I now know the difference between threaded and threadless.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Going from a suspension fork to a rigid fork will likely lower the front end of your bike and change the geometry.

[@IanLoughead]

Great video. For my bike I didn't need a new fork as much as I wanted a better stem option (the Quill stem didn't work for me). I found a great adapter which has served me very well. They come in 1 inch and 1 1/8 inch. A search for quill adapter will find it quickly, in case anyone wants a slightly cheaper option or doesn't need the whole fork changed out.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Ian Loughead I have a couple videos on those. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIHPoWCVmdRlo68

[@IanLoughead]

RJ The Bike Guy Yes, it seems you do! Thanks again!

[@SuperOlds88]

Nice video. Only thing I would add is grease on threads of all screws and internal metal parts that could be tough to disassemble especially since this area can be highly corroded because of sweat. Thanks for a another good video.

[@limegreen4956]

Great video! Very helpful and easy to follow.

[@RobboHouTex]

Great video. I've been thinking about this project with one of my old hybrid bikes and this video answered all of my questions. Thanks.

[@THEfromkentucky]

That looks exactly like my 1997 Trek 820, and I've been wanting to do a threadless conversion on it for some time. Thanks for laying it all out.

[@johnsheetz6639]

Man I know this is an old video, but you don't know the trouble you saved me.

[@himeno_istri_ku]

Its 2024 and im about to work on my bike, thanks for making this video if not because of you, my bike gonna be screwed

[@upstatecre8]

Great video RJ! I recently tried removing handle grips with an air compressor and was super impressed at how easy they can off! Keep the great instructive videos coming and thank you!!!!!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I have don that too. But since I don't leave my compressor powered up, it's a bit inconvenient.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqLNpoRvaaalj6M

[@chosenideahandle]

I've always used wd40. I like the alcohol idea (cleaner, and takes less time to disappear).

[@eddon7644]

One of my fave bike channel!! Hugs from Chile!

[@upstatecre8]

I just did this job this weekend and made those homemade tools too!!!!

[@neomanis]

Man, those tool innovations are on the fucking point! Smart, cheap, reliable! Kudos!

[@robbocyprus]

Very Good RJ your videos are very helpful, very concise and you do everything in a methodical and timely way! I noticed that the Pepsi cans went down rapidly during the making of the video ;-}

[@whynugs]

Bike tools company will hate you😂 Thanks a lot RJ!!!

[@oxXHITMANXxo508]

RJ The Bike Guy Love the vids man keep them coming :)

[@xcrypticsamurai7908]

Wow I have been looking for how to do this and you just made it so easy for me. Thank you so much for making this! helped me a ton

[@surfcitygenecarrothersabec7634]

Nice Socks! Thanks for posting I had no idea about a threadless fork!! Very interesting i have a Trek 830 and 850 mountain bike from 1982.

[@fadqih8970]

Those DIY tools was so dope!!!

[@Spanky8402]

I made my own tool just like yours but I used a 2x4 on the bottom end and I scored the area of the wood where the cup would be and that helped keep the tool in place. I scored the wood using a file. I basically made a circle in the wood. I appreciate you making this video. :)

[@ВасилийСагуйченко-ъ7ь]

Great video! Simple and clear! ))) Especially liked the tubular puller)))

[@maxmiser286]

You do love your treks don't you RJ. Another great video. 👍

[@scottscotts808]

I like what you are doing by helping others without the knowhow and I'm sure you have save a lot of people a lot of money, I do find on some of your tutorials you are making it more complicated then need be, I'd never use or recommend this method of putting bearing cups in, all you will do is over tighten and leave a nice cracking in the frame. Believe me iv seen this a few times

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

The headset cups are pressed in. That is how it's done. I used a homemade tool, as the professional headset presses are expensive. www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000R2JJLW/ref=nosim/youtube25-20

[@mckav2358]

Hi RJ This is exactly what i needed to learn Thanks

[@sethstanbury6126]

Thank you for a really helpful video, I have been wanting to do this to my 88’ specialized for a while now😊

[@tonytusk5524]

Excellent informative video hoss! Thank you for sharing.

[@-san_mac-]

Your home made tools are awesome

[@carlosamador8085]

RJ Awesome videos like always!!

[@Racing_club777]

Another great video. I'm going to addicted jajaja.saludos amigo.

[@recyclespinning9839]

Thank you , will be attempting this on s Trek 930 I trying to convert to drop bars . It also has a broken suspension fork end on it . I am going to ridgid fork. More to this than how easy you make it look, tools, right parts , where to buy , right grease , right torque setting etc ...

[@jesse-xj2fs]

Thank you so much man, i now finaly know how to upgrade my crappy downhill bike. Thank you so much

[@marcosruiz3175]

Great video , it is very helpful ,greetings from Argentina

[@a.m.6713]

AWESOME...Thanks for your time and the video!

[@olivertorres2193]

I love your home-made tools, really usefull

[@christooss]

I sometimes watch RJ The Bike Guy's videos when I'm bored.

[@chrismad1344]

You da man,I'm learning a lot with you videos thank you!

[@soylentgreen326]

❤ I’ve got play in a bike with screw less forks I was in the belief they had sealed bearing and not cones. Hopefully I can adjust them 🎉🎉🎉

[@OldschoolDT]

I love your homemade tools!

[@Scubasig]

Nice video! very informative. You must have been thirsty because there were 3 cases of Diet Pepsi in the beginning and at the end only one was left! lol Looking to do this conversion for a Cannondale Headstock (1.5") to a threadless rigid fork (1-1/8"). Hoping the process is as strait forward as this. Thanks !

[@b0tak707]

This is so cooooooool!! So detailed. Beautiful/ :)

[@kevinhullinger8743]

Thanks for the video great information and pointers.

[@discount11]

great video! Thanks for making this.

[@kght222]

on your homemade headset press, use a second nut on the bottom that way you only need one tool to tighten it down, might make it less of a headache to use.

[@johnsheetz6639]

9 years later in this guy is getting a like from me.

[@dianasandyamanukhan7008]

All your tips are very useful thanks a lot

[@8day1989]

+RJ The Bike Guy Have you considered putting wooden cylinder with a hole in the middle of this device? It should provide fast and decent centering w/o damaging inner sides of tubes. Also, you can make that cylinder a bit smaller than needed and adjust its diameter with some tape/paper/whatever. I bet some carpenter can make it for a relatively low price. Oh... after a bit of thinking I realised that you won't be able to use it for the other cap... I guess in that case you can use another cylinder of a smaller size. But now it seems like it creates more trouble than it is supposed to solve...

[@stevemcdermott100]

Good video, showed me what I need to know. Thanks mate!

[@ilanmagen]

Nice job. Also love your shirt

[@ns9743]

This is what i needed

[@808GT]

Great tutorial! Helped me do my conversion.

[@Gulgonful]

Thanks RJ I recently pressed a headset using a screw down wood clamp and some wood blocks - if you take your time it’s no big deal. Park Tool who?

[@dinhphuochoa]

I've just bought a Trek 830 which i think 1995 model (internet search). It appears to have 1 inch headtube because a quill stem installed on its fork. I saw your video and your Trek 820 has a 1 1/8 inch headtube. I hope that my Trek 830 1995 has the same diameter. Thank you!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+dinhphuochoa kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYjFXmmng7mfptE

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

You could measure the diameter of the quill stem. the stem for a 1" fork will be about 7/8". The stem for a 1 1/8" will be about 1" in diameter.

[@aaz_m_t_b]

Really helpful video

[@TboneTenEighties]

Keeping my threaded on my road bike. My steele fork is way to comfy of a ride to change out. I really couldn't care if it's heavy. Feels damn great on the road. Stiff on smooth flats/climbs and soft on bumpy terrain. Sometimes i have to look down at my front wheel because it feels like my tire is low but it never is lol..the damn thing feels like a shock absorber. I just use an adaptor so i can use a threadless stem on my threaded fork. Perfect.

[@FirstnameLastname-pe5ib]

If it feels like a flat it has loosened.

[@TboneTenEighties]

@@FirstnameLastname-pe5ib I know what you're saying but nothing is loose. I have been working on my bikes since a teen. The only thing i take it into a shop for is wheels truing. I have done it before but sooo much easier to get it done from my local.

[@kottelkannim4919]

DIY-ers should note that the handlebar is not oversized (1 1/8") but rather a 1" one. This reflects on the stem's dimensions, namely it has 1 1/8" steerer tube clamp and 1" handlebar clamp, like in the Bontrager one that RJ used.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

The handlebar diameter only matters for what stem you use. And really doesn't matter for changing the headset.

[@LesterWalters]

Looking forward to doing the same thing on one of my bikes.

[@gstone1345]

such a good video, huge help

[@carlosfigueroa790]

Cheers from Central America. Guatemala city.

[@neekuinknight]

this video is very helpful!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Thanks!

[@ericmiranda9841]

I am having nightmares about that grease gun. ja ja ja great video dude.

[@axelf.3188]

Thanks! That one helps a lot bro!

[@saidnamor]

MacGyver approves! Awesome homemade tools!!!

[@debysoto7729]

very good helpful video!! gracias from mexico

[@natesmith8713]

Great stuff to know,Also that tool was Impressive..

[@gpurkeljc]

I have a Look carbon fork with a 1 inch threadless steerer that I'm never likely to use again. I didn't even realise that they are difficult to find.

[@Nix-Travels]

Love the homemade tools

[@realitycheck4797]

Thanks RJ. Im actually aboit to do this to my bike. Thanks for the video

[@ErrVine]

Let me see if I got this right. When installing the bearings, the flat side goes UP on both the lower AND upper bearings, as you say in the video? You know better than I, but it seems to me that if one flat side is up (lower @ 9:40), wouldn't the other (upper @10:10) go down?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

This should answer your question: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGKqqpqsbZd3d68

[@ErrVine]

Thanks RJ, that certainly does clear things up. Especially since the headset bearings shown, are exactly the same as the ones on my bike.

[@ErrVine]

Another question for you if you don't mind. I am converting an old MTB into a single speed cruiser. What is an acceptable difference in chain line between front chainring and rear cog? For example, my front chain line is 53mm, and the rear is 49mm. Is that close enough? I am using 1/8" chain. Thanks RJ, I really enjoy your videos.

[@robertkelly1434]

Glad I found this video, I'm planning an upgrade on my touring bike from rigid to suspension forks. I have no idea what the current fork shaft measures. I did replace the steering head and handlebars a few years ago, installing a 1" shaft. There's some play around that shaft, so I'm thinking I may be lucky and have a 11/8" tube. Where should I measure it to be sure (preferably w/o removing that front fork)?

[@downhill_rider732]

U saved me hundreds of money

[@ricoalbarran8506]

Very informative, thank u

[@myscreen2urs]

I'm in the process of doing a threadless conversation and I just learned the hard way that sealed beating headsets won't fit if you were previously using cage bearings. I agonized about the specs too when choosing this headset

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

You use a sealed bearing headset if the specs match the head tube and steerer measurements. Were you trying to reuse the old cups?

[@myscreen2urs]

@@RJTheBikeGuy No. But after doing more research, it would seem that I bought a semi integrated headset when I should have gotten an external type. The one I bought had it so that the bearing presses into the headtube instead of above and below like the ones your demonstrating in your video.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

@@myscreen2urs Yep, as I said, the headset need to match the specs of the head tube and steerer.

[@PedroElena1000]

Very good video¡ I wonder if you had the opportunity to replace the hub in a Spinergy rev X wheel? Would be interesting to see how you applied solution to this problem

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I have not worked on one of those.

[@superchile9640]

Now I know how to do this to my older Trek