Spacer/steerer query.

migrantwing
migrantwing Posts: 385
edited May 2012 in Workshop
6e0upt.jpg

Been visiting various bike specific sites, and the net in general, and have become slightly paranoid due to peoples varying thoughts and information regarding stems/spacers. No-one seems to give the same views. Can anyone clarify if this set up is normal and, more importantly, safe, please.

2 x 5mm spacers under the stem (10mm), and the clearance between the top of the steerer and the top of the stem clamp is around 3-4mm.

TIA
Ghost Race 5000 (2011) Shimano 105 Black
Carrera TDF (2007)

http://www.bike-discount.de/#

http://www.bike24.com/

Comments

  • sandyballs
    sandyballs Posts: 577
    Looks normal to me, most top caps are recessed so need a couple of mm or so between the top of the steerer/bung and stem to enable them to work correctly.

    Someone soon will tell you to get rid of the spacers into next doors garden and slam the stem though.
  • rowlers
    rowlers Posts: 1,614
    looks good to me
    Felt F1
    Deda Acciaio
    Pro6
    Cotic Soul
  • migrantwing
    migrantwing Posts: 385
    Sandyballs wrote:
    Looks normal to me, most top caps are recessed so need a couple of mm or so between the top of the steerer/bung and stem to enable them to work correctly.

    Someone soon will tell you to get rid of the spacers into next doors garden and slam the stem though.

    There's always one :)
    rowlers wrote:
    looks good to me

    Lovely place to ride, the Lake District. Lucky man!

    Thanks for clearing that up, guys. I presumed it would be OK. I've had this kind of set up on most my road bikes over the last 10 years or so, but today caused slight panic. Must be my age :)
    Ghost Race 5000 (2011) Shimano 105 Black
    Carrera TDF (2007)

    http://www.bike-discount.de/#

    http://www.bike24.com/
  • mattcroad
    mattcroad Posts: 189
    OK then, I'll say it, THROW THE SPACERS IN NEXT DOORS GARDEN, drop the stem, go for a ride.

    There we go, it's been said.

    PS - Looks fine to me. As long as the top screw clamp is below the top of the fork all is OK.
    There is a rule for that
    FCN 4 2009 Trek 1.5
    FCN 11 2007 Apollo XC.26s
  • BillyMansell
    BillyMansell Posts: 817
    mattcroad wrote:
    PS - Looks fine to me. As long as the top screw clamp is below the top of the fork all is OK.
    My thoughts also. The steerer/expander a couple of millimetres below the top of the stem allows for the top cap to sit comfortably and should ensure the same loading on the two stem bolts and even compression of the steerer.
  • migrantwing
    migrantwing Posts: 385
    LOL!

    All good. Thanks, guys.

    So, if I did 'throw the spacers into next doors garden', and drop the stem down, it would leave about 8-9mm of steerer tube showing above the stem clamp. It would look crap. One or two spacers on top for aesthetic/visual purposes, possibly? Pointless cutting off a few mill at the top of the stem.
    Ghost Race 5000 (2011) Shimano 105 Black
    Carrera TDF (2007)

    http://www.bike-discount.de/#

    http://www.bike24.com/
  • blackhands
    blackhands Posts: 950
    If you took the spacers from underneath you must either cut the steerer so that you still have 2-3mm of stem above the top of the steerer, or, put the spacers above the stem. If the steerer sits above the stem you will not be able to adjust the bearings properly.
  • JohnnyAllez
    JohnnyAllez Posts: 785
    Is it a carbon steerer tube?
    Jens says "Shut up legs !! "

    Specialized S-Works SaxoBank SL4 Tarmac Di2
  • migrantwing
    migrantwing Posts: 385
    edited May 2012
    blackhands wrote:
    If you took the spacers from underneath you must either cut the steerer so that you still have 2-3mm of stem above the top of the steerer, or, put the spacers above the stem. If the steerer sits above the stem you will not be able to adjust the bearings properly.

    I guess I'll leave it as is, then. How would it affect the bearings, apart from compression issues?
    Ghost Race 5000 (2011) Shimano 105 Black
    Carrera TDF (2007)

    http://www.bike-discount.de/#

    http://www.bike24.com/
  • migrantwing
    migrantwing Posts: 385
    JohnnyAllez wrote:
    Is it a carbon steerer tube?

    No, Johnny. Carbon fork, alu steerer.
    Ghost Race 5000 (2011) Shimano 105 Black
    Carrera TDF (2007)

    http://www.bike-discount.de/#

    http://www.bike24.com/
  • Yossie
    Yossie Posts: 2,600
    Just out of interest, is there areason why you don't want to cut the steerer?
  • migrantwing
    migrantwing Posts: 385
    Yossie wrote:
    Just out of interest, is there areason why you don't want to cut the steerer?

    'cause I'm scared, Yossie! LOL!

    I just want to leave that little bit extra, just in case I sell the bike in the future.
    Ghost Race 5000 (2011) Shimano 105 Black
    Carrera TDF (2007)

    http://www.bike-discount.de/#

    http://www.bike24.com/
  • Yossie
    Yossie Posts: 2,600
    What if you don't sell the bike? Or smash it up badly so that you can't sell it? Or it gets nicked? Or the person who buys it wants the fork the same level as you have trimmed it?

    So many variables, so little fork stem.

    I'd cut it if I were you and stuff the consequences 4 years down the line.

    Go on, you know it makes sense! And you know what to do with the bits that you don't need :)
  • migrantwing
    migrantwing Posts: 385
    Yossie wrote:
    Go on, you know it makes sense! And you know what to do with the bits that you don't need :)

    ...and what's that? Ha! :lol:

    You've made some very valid points. Now, where's that hacksaw...
    Ghost Race 5000 (2011) Shimano 105 Black
    Carrera TDF (2007)

    http://www.bike-discount.de/#

    http://www.bike24.com/
  • Yossie
    Yossie Posts: 2,600
    Good work that man - remember - measure twice and cut once and enjoy the the stem set up without the ugly spacers.

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