A-headset cap/bolts; spacers; stems...

N0bodyOfTheGoat

I finally got round to fetting with the Felt F5C yesterday afternoon, in order to fit the On-One 40 degree stem (extreme, but my lower back muscles need help after injury 2008), but I'm unsure if I have done the right thing...

The new stem has a taller sleeve to go over the steerer. Initially, I removed both ~5mm spacers, but before giving up (bad light) I replaced a single spacer back below the new stem. The top of the stem sleeve is now ~3mm higher than the top of the steerer, is this within safety margins?

I would also appreciate some reassurance about torques for both the headset bolt and the two opposing stem sleeve bolts. Currently, if I recall rightly, I set them both at 5, possibly 6Nm... :?

Monty Dog

FWIW you need to leave a gap between the top of the steerer and the step to allow you to adjust the headset correctly - 3mm is well within acceptable limits and likewise, most ahead stem bolts are 5-6Nm, so no worries there.

mmacavity

http://www.canecreek.com/tech-headsets?view=video

N0bodyOfTheGoat

Many thanks, seems like the Felt is good to go! The new stem has raised the bars ~3cm, which ought to help my back. Only time will tell if the new effective reach reduction to 80mm will feel too twitchy!

I quickly fitted a Charge Spoon saddle after work, just the Bontrager Speed Limit brakes and the Mr Crud road racer mudguards to go (although I may need to swap from 25mm Schwalbe Marathon Pluses to fit the guards, something I wanted to replace with something lighter without comprimising puncture protection too much anyway, now that I have three bikes).