Stem Change

wheelbuckler

Just a quick question guys,

I'm replacing the stem on my bike but what i've noticed is that the clamp holds the steerer tube is longer/taller on the existing stem than it is on my new one.

Can I just chop any excess off the steerer tube or is it a little bit more complicated than that.

I'm new to mountain biking and never really done any of my own maintenance before so any advice would be great

whowantstobecoolanyway

Yer you will need to chop the steerer down so it is about 5mm below the tob of the new stem. You need to be carefull that the satrnut is still about 10mm in the steerer though (unless you have a headlock). if it is not u will need to push it into the steerer carefully untill it sits about 10mm below top of steerer

lost-time

before cutting anything get yourself some spacers and pop them under the new stem first.

Splasher

Or you can just add another spacer. A spacer on top of the stem gives a stronger connection since all of the stem clamp has steerer inside it whereas with the conventional "stem at the top" approach, the stem clamp has to sit slightly off the top of the steerer to achieve bearing pre-load.

jpembroke

Add another spacer: easily done and no room for very, very expensive mistakes. Also, by adding a spacer you'll end up with a stem at the same height as your original one. Remember the stem clamp needs to be a few mm above the top of the steerer or you won't be able to tighten up the headset properly.

teacherman

TBH if you don't want to add another spacer take it to your LBS - mine would do that for a tenner or less - better than doing something catastrophic if you're not confident.

Chaka Ping

You can buy spacers for a few quid on Wiggle, CRC or elsewhere - don;t chop your fork down in case you decide to switch back to a taller stem later.

wheelbuckler

Cheers for the advice.

I think i'll try spacers first then if no luck i'll head down the LBS. Cheers again