How can I tell if my stem is a threaded or threadless type?
A bike’s headset (bearings), stem, bike frame and fork connect together as part of a system. To be compatible each has to assemble using the same standard and be the correct size. The 2 standards are threaded and threadless. For the threaded type, the stem has a cylindrical shaft called a quill that inserts into the fork steerer tube and is held in place with a wedge nut. The steerer tube is threaded to accept the upper parts of the headset. In a threadless (also called Aheadset®) system the headset slides on— it doesn’t thread on— and the stem clamps to the steerer tube. 8.
