This is a fairly general question by a fairly knowledgable person.
What in Gods name, is the advantage of a threaded headset? There has to be an advantage to it, because otherwise it seems pretty pointless to spec' this old design on new, performance-oriented bikes. The only two reasons that I can see justifying a threaded headset being used on any current bike is either 1) wanting the bike to "look" more traditional and retro in spite of all dis-advantages, and 2) ease of stem adjustability on comfort/hybrid bikes.
It just doesn't seem like a threaded headset has any advantages other than that. The adjustability thing seems to lose ground as the performance-factor goes up, simply because the handlebar height is not something that is changed once your correct position is determined. A threaded system requires more tools to be used when adjusting/overhauling (1 or 2 allens keys vs. 2 huge headset wrenches and then an allen key). You can forget about being able to make adjustments while on a ride, unless you have some headset wrenches. (Yes yes yes, make sure your bike works properly before you start riding, but you never know - sh!t happens.)
The quill stem typically feels more flexy, and are an immense pain in the arse when they use a single-bolt handlebar clamp instead of a removable faceplate.
I'm just trying to understand is all... Thoughts?
What in Gods name, is the advantage of a threaded headset? There has to be an advantage to it, because otherwise it seems pretty pointless to spec' this old design on new, performance-oriented bikes. The only two reasons that I can see justifying a threaded headset being used on any current bike is either 1) wanting the bike to "look" more traditional and retro in spite of all dis-advantages, and 2) ease of stem adjustability on comfort/hybrid bikes.
It just doesn't seem like a threaded headset has any advantages other than that. The adjustability thing seems to lose ground as the performance-factor goes up, simply because the handlebar height is not something that is changed once your correct position is determined. A threaded system requires more tools to be used when adjusting/overhauling (1 or 2 allens keys vs. 2 huge headset wrenches and then an allen key). You can forget about being able to make adjustments while on a ride, unless you have some headset wrenches. (Yes yes yes, make sure your bike works properly before you start riding, but you never know - sh!t happens.)
The quill stem typically feels more flexy, and are an immense pain in the arse when they use a single-bolt handlebar clamp instead of a removable faceplate.
I'm just trying to understand is all... Thoughts?
