Headset blues

GoldenMotor.com

Rusty_S85

Member
May 4, 2017
80
4
8
Houston
Well after nine days I got my 1 1/8" to 1" head set adapter for my GT2A Skyhawk frame. I wanted to use a threaded head set for a more vintage look. The fork will arrive tomorrow or Wed but my new problem is the adapter I got from bicycle design will not work. The adapter cup falls through my forward tube and does not fit. This is a 1 1/8" headset bike as the included threadless headset is 1 1/8". So now I have to figure out what to do to correct this. I don't know why they don't offer options they offer a drop out option of 135mm or 150mm why not a head set option 1" or 1 1/8".

Anyways I will be lurking on here to see if anyone else on here had this problem and see their fixes.
 

malatious

Member
Sep 23, 2014
61
15
8
Riverside, CA
What is the actual ID of your forward tube? Is it different from the standard non-threaded size? If you really want the vintage look with the threaded head set, you may need to have a machine shop make you a set of adapters. I have a vintage frame with the non-threaded headset and I don't think it looks that bad. I actually think the threadless design is stronger. I know it is a bummer to have to switch directions when you are planning on doing something a certain way. Hope you are able to come up with a solution that you like.
 

Rusty_S85

Member
May 4, 2017
80
4
8
Houston
Below are the specs.





Thing is I wont pay someone to machine something to make this work I would rather just get out of it and sell off what I have before I get sunk in too much money wise. This little summer time project for me is turning into more like a job and I am quickly losing interest with all this cobbling together and rigging I am having to do. I hate having to do that. I prefer to have something that is made just for the job and I don't know why they have it like this. Sure I could probably send my threaded fork back and wait another 2 weeks for a threadless one and use the headset I have that came with the frame. But every thing I find for the stem just doesn't have that vintage look nor does it have the knurling for use with the sunlite vintage handle bars I had picked out.

I hope I can salvage this but its starting to turn into more work than it is worth.
 

Rusty_S85

Member
May 4, 2017
80
4
8
Houston
Venting aside I sent a email to Niagra to see if they can provide me a return label to send the fork back. I will just trade it in for a threadless design then figure out how you properly set a threadless fork up. Then find a vintage looking mount that will work with the handlebars I have picked out.
 

culvercityclassic

Well-Known Member
Sep 27, 2009
3,115
177
63
Culver City, Ca
Looks like you did not do your research very well, lots of people have built that same frame, I even had one and did not like the geometry of so i gave it away...it even came with the proper headset for the 1 1/8 setup. You might consider a new headset before you give up and a fork change
 

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Rusty_S85

Member
May 4, 2017
80
4
8
Houston
Looks like you did not do your research very well, lots of people have built that same frame, I even had one and did not like the geometry of so i gave it away...it even came with the proper headset for the 1 1/8 setup. You might consider a new headset before you give up and a fork change
I did some research. Ive seen people use 1" conversion headsets and used threaded forks on these bikes. Down side is I cant find it and the 1" adapter I have is not for the integrated headset like this frame used.

That fork will be delivered today. How ever I went to amazon and purchased the last 1 1/8" sunlite deluxe springer for threadless for $99 that I will have Thursday. Looks like I will be sending this $150 threaded fork back and just use the headset included with the kid. Really didn't want to as it looks crappy and I really honestly don't think a vintage looking build will look right with a threadless handlebar mount. Plus I haven't the slightest clue on setting up threadless properly. I did all my reading on threaded headsets.