changing a headset

Steve Bernth said:

I currently have a '98 Klein with a 1" threadless headset and quill
style stem. I would like to possibly upgrade this to the more
modern style headset/stems used on newer bikes, but I really have no
idea if this is possible, and if it is, if it's even worth doing.
Any thoughts/suggestions are appreciated.

That is an unseemly combination, threadless and quill. How do you
adjust the head bearing if there is no adjustment screw in the place
where the quill stem is? Ar you sure you have a threadless steer
tube? In any event, the length of steer tube exposed above the head
bearing is where your options begin. There should be about 2" exposed
so you can clamp a stem to it and have space for a spacer. Most stems
are made for fatter steer tubes but come with a split sleeve that
makes them also fit a 1" steer tube.

When considering stems, select one that has two pinch bolts on the
steerer and four screws on the handlebar clamp. The reason is that,
unlike a classic quill stem, without redundant clamp screws, the bars
will fall of the bicycle if any one screw breaks, while a quill stem
will leave you with loose bars in such an event.

http://www.ritcheylogic.com/

Jobst Brandt

Steve Bernth said:

I'm new to this group and my technical knowledge is very limited so please
forgive me. I currently have a '98 Klein with a 1" threadless headset and
quill style stem. I would like to possibly upgrade this to the more modern
style headset/stems used on newer bikes, but I really have no idea if this
is possible, and if it is, if it's even worth doing. Any
thoughts/suggestions are appreciated.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile_combo.cfm?SKU=17139&estore_ID=&subcategory_ID=5232&CFID=51881913&CFTOKEN=95535843

This might be a decent option. You probably don't have a threadless
headset now (I'm pretty sure). You likely have a "threaded" headset
with a "threaded" fork. This combo set above will get your bike into
the 21st century (for better or for worse). Installation is not a home
job unless you have the right tools. A HS removal tool and HS Press
are pricy bits. Chances are your local bike shop can do the work - and
they probably have a fork/hs/stem combo for you as well (it just might
cost $400).

Steve Bernth said:

I'm new to this group and my technical knowledge is very limited so please
forgive me. I currently have a '98 Klein with a 1" threadless headset and
quill style stem. I would like to possibly upgrade this to the more modern
style headset/stems used on newer bikes, but I really have no idea if this
is possible, and if it is, if it's even worth doing. Any
thoughts/suggestions are appreciated.

Can you be more specific? Most 98 Kleins had the proprietary 1-1/16"
threadless internal headset and either the collet style stem or a
regular threadless style stem. I suppose you could put a quill in the
steerer but it would look pretty weird.

"> Can you be more specific? Most 98 Kleins had the proprietary 1-1/16"

Quoted message said:

threadless internal headset and either the collet style stem or a regular
threadless style stem. I suppose you could put a quill in the steerer but
it would look pretty weird.

I got the bike used and the previous owner did many upgrades but did not
mention doing anything with the stem etc. The bike is a 98 (I think) Klein
Stage. I found some information in the internet that states the 98 Stage
has a 1" threadless Tange-Seiki CDS headset so that is what I based this
info on. Maybe the previous owner did some mods there as well?????

<snippage of q re: Klein Stage HS>

98 Klein Stage I had had a threaded headset. I suspect the prior owner
mod'd it.

D'ohBoy

Steve Bernth said:

I'm new to this group and my technical knowledge is very limited so please
forgive me. I currently have a '98 Klein with a 1" threadless headset and
quill style stem. I would like to possibly upgrade this to the more modern
style headset/stems used on newer bikes, but I really have no idea if this
is possible, and if it is, if it's even worth doing. Any
thoughts/suggestions are appreciated.

Are you sure it's "threadless"? Usually, quill stems are used with
threaded headsets (actually, the headset isn't threaded, the steerer
tube is).

If you're confused about terminology, try Google'ing Sheldon Brown's
articles on headsets.

If you have a big nut just above the headset, then it's threaded.
Otherwise, you'd need some kind of locking collar (very non-standard) on
an unthreaded steerer tube.

To upgrade, you'll probably need a new fork, headset and stem. It's not
a bad DIY project -- but maybe not a great first-time bike project.

Why are you looking to "upgrade"? Are you having a fit problem?

Quoted message said:

If you have a big nut just above the headset, then it's threaded.
Otherwise, you'd need some kind of locking collar (very non-standard) on
an unthreaded steerer tube.

To upgrade, you'll probably need a new fork, headset and stem. It's not a
bad DIY project -- but maybe not a great first-time bike project.

Why are you looking to "upgrade"? Are you having a fit problem?

I guess I have a threaded headset. I really wanted to upgrade just to get a
more modern look. Everything else on the bike has been done except for
that. I also wanted to upgrade to a carbon fork and figured it would be
best to do everything at once.

Steve Bernth said:

I guess I have a threaded headset. I really wanted to upgrade just to get a more modern look.

The right way to do this is to replace the fork, headset, and stem with
a threadless type. If you're just going for the "look" I wouldn't
bother.

An alternative is to get an adapter that inserts into your threaded
steerer tube and accepts a threadless type stem.

Art Harris

Art Harris said:

Steve Bernth said:

I guess I have a threaded headset. I really wanted to upgrade just to get a more modern look.

The right way to do this is to replace the fork, headset, and stem with
a threadless type. If you're just going for the "look" I wouldn't
bother.

Maybe it's just me, but I've always thought that threaded set-up were
much classier looking. Sleeker, at least.
\\paul

Art Harris said:

Steve Bernth said:

I guess I have a threaded headset. I really wanted to upgrade just to get a more modern look.

The right way to do this is to replace the fork, headset, and stem with
a threadless type. If you're just going for the "look" I wouldn't
bother.

An alternative is to get an adapter that inserts into your threaded
steerer tube and accepts a threadless type stem.

Here's an example of the above:

http://www.cinelli.it/eng/bici/accessori/attacchi/QUILL.html

jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net http://home.earthlink.net/~jeverett3

John Everett said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I guess I have a threaded headset. I really wanted to upgrade
just to get a more modern look.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The right way to do this is to replace the fork, headset, and stem
with a threadless type. If you're just going for the "look" I
wouldn't bother.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

An alternative is to get an adapter that inserts into your threaded
steerer tube and accepts a threadless type stem.

Quoted message said:

Here's an example of the above:

http://www.cinelli.it/eng/bici/accessori/attacchi/QUILL.html

I wouldn't do that if you climb hills because the slant wedge stem
holder is a dodo. With much pedaling torque to the bars in the
standing position, the stem is not rotation proof as it yo-yos from
side to side and unscrews the expander bolt. Repeated loosening is
what finally convinced me to get a new fork with a long threadless
steertube and a solid stem attachment.

As I mentioned, be sure to get one with redundant clamping because
otherwise a failure of one screw leaves the bicycle with no handlebar
at all unlike quill stems where the bar just becomes loose.

Jobst Brandt