Are there different sizes of 1" threaded headset?

[Ash]

I'm building up the new Wolbis with mostly black componentry.  Bought a black colored 1" Fairweather headset from Blue Lug.  Dropped off the frame and the headset at LBS for the swapping.  The bicycle mechanic later called and said the headset was not compatible with my frame.  This time I let him order the right one (I think he said Origin 8). I brought the headset back and double checked the packaging.  It does say 1" threaded.  I'm left scratching my head what additional detail I have to specify if I were to order a good quality one down the road.  Any clues?

[Jeremy Till]

This is the only 1" Fairweather headset I could find, and it's threadless, not threaded. Is this the headset you bought?

https://global.bluelug.com/fairweather-headset-1inch-matt-black.html

To answer your original question, there are a number of 1" threaded headset sizes:

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-headsets.html

These days the ISO standard is by far the most common and to my knowledge that's what all Rivendells with threaded headsets use. But you can still buy headsets in other standards (most commonly JIS) so it's important to know your frame and fork dimensions when buying one.

-Jeremy Till
Sacramento, CA

[Ash]

Hi Jeremy,

This was helpful!  Much appreciate your clarification.  Upon close inspection, I do see that it is NOT threaded.  Not sure why Blue Lug mentions 'threaded' in the overview section.  Anyway, now I know there's threadless in 1" too.   The lesson cost $50!  Maybe I can find buyer for this.

Cheers,

Ash

[masmojo]

It is very strange, but when threadless headsets first appeared I am pretty sure they were 1", but quickly went to 1 1/8" (or larger).
That was OK, but lately 1" threadless does seem to be becoming "a THING" again, I've noticed components popping up in 1" threadless, it seems to be popular with BMX racers under 10 years old. In that geme, light weight is everything and smaller stuff just weighs less! (Surprise)
I made a similar mistake to you, I bought a threadless BMX stem and didn't even look at the size, because it was a modern component; then when it arrived I was shocked to find it didn't fit & I was like "Whaaa ?)
Now I see a bunch of 1" threadless components, but not frames with 1" threadless spec.?
Maybe someone knows more? Last thing we need is another spec. And I am unsure how 1" threadless is anything but a backwards step!!???

[J L]

Just to swing it over to Rivendell. The Legolas from 10+ years ago and the Rodeo had always been a available in 1 inch threadless options. It is a good way for those bicycle models to have compatibility with “modern” components and aesthetic. Threadless stems in 1 inch and 1 1/8 inch fit with only a commonly found shim needed. As we all know Rivendell has their own fork crowns cast and typically use 1inch threaded steerers. A 1 inch threadless steerer fits the same crown making it an easy swap when placing orders with the builder.
That is a common reason other makers have used 1 inch threadless steerers, they fit the same for crowns and head tubes as 1 inch threaded.
They are also independent of threading standards (french, raleigh, english, etc) so eplacement forks with different properties (rake, or braze ons for example) can be made and are modular.
Some “popularity” is also due to aesthetics.
Some want stems that have a removable faceplate, more commonly used on threadless, so they opt for that style steerer.

To answer the OP question, there are many different sizes of 1 inch headsets. Threaded and threadless both come in two different crown race sizes. Beyond that, there are differences in bearings, stack height, and thread style that need to be considered.

J

[Benz Ouyang, Sunnyvale, CA]

1" head tubes are 1" head tubes, threadless or threaded. The part you need to worry about is whether the fork is threaded. Actually, you can even chop down an extra long threaded fork to make it threadless if you so wish, as long as you don't end up clamping the stem on the threaded portion, because the external diameter is the same. Furthermore, if a manufacturer makes both 1" threadless and 1" threaded headsets, it's usually the top cap and associated parts that are different; the lower end is identical, and even the upper cup and bearings are usually identical. Chris King even sell conversion kits to convert one to the other.

In any case, I don't think 1" threadless is a step backwards. 1 1/8" was introduced for mountain bikes, when it was decided that the 1" steerer was too wimpy, especially with the introduction of non-steel steerers. AFAIK, Rivendell steerers are all steel, and they don't especially cater to the "EXTREME SPORTS" crowd, so 1" threaded or threadless is plenty. As for threaded vs threadless, each have its advantages and disadvantages. For example, it's hard to get a lot of height out of threadless setups without it looking goofy, but it's trivial to properly setup and preload a threadless front end with only 1 or 2 Allen wrenches (no need for a pair of 32mm or 36mm wrenches).