threaded 1 1/8" headsets / 1" aheadsets - "what gives?"

Keiron said:

Whats the story with 1 1/8 threaded headsets and non-threaded 1" aheadsets.
As far as i knew (plainly not far enough), in the begining there was 1" (1
1/4"😉 threaded and they were replaced with 'superior' 1 1/8 ahead but all of
a sudden i'm seeing tons of these? Are they for specific functions or just
setup preference?

Neither is even really in the "uncommon" realm or ever has been. 1 1/8
threaded was very common for mtb and mtb-style bikes for some time, and
many cheaper dealer-level bikes still use it. Remember that when
threadless came out, it wasn't just a new standard that only worked on
frames and forks made for it.

1" threadless is sort of getting less common on new bikes but is still
quite common for road and mini. Many feel that 1" makes more sense on
road bikes for lighter riders. Quality suspension forks for 1"
threadless aren't abundant but can still be had.

Nate Knutson said:

Keiron said:

Whats the story with 1 1/8 threaded headsets and non-threaded 1" aheadsets.
As far as i knew (plainly not far enough), in the begining there was 1" (1
1/4"😉 threaded and they were replaced with 'superior' 1 1/8 ahead but all of
a sudden i'm seeing tons of these? Are they for specific functions or just
setup preference?

Neither is even really in the "uncommon" realm or ever has been. 1 1/8
threaded was very common for mtb and mtb-style bikes for some time, and
many cheaper dealer-level bikes still use it. Remember that when
threadless came out, it wasn't just a new standard that only worked on
frames and forks made for it.

1" threadless is sort of getting less common on new bikes but is still
quite common for road and mini. Many feel that 1" makes more sense on
road bikes for lighter riders. Quality suspension forks for 1"
threadless aren't abundant but can still be had.

actually it did only work on forks made for it. sorry, just kinda
slipped out.