steerer length question

cj95
cj95 Posts: 8
edited July 2012 in MTB workshop & tech
Hi there

I am upgrading my forks and the pair I have purchased have a shorter steerer tube by 40mm. There is enough room tto put on the new shorter pair if I remove some of the spacers.

My questions is will this effect the bikes performance at all. I realize the handlebars will be lower but other than that would it make much difference to the bike.

Many Thanks

Comments

  • Twelly
    Twelly Posts: 1,437
    As long as you can still achieve the 3-5mm gap between steerer tube and top of stem, it will work, but like you say, removing spacers will lower the bars and give you a more hunched over position.

    Whether that is a good or bad thing is up to you and your riding I guess. I removed spacers on my road bike to get the front lower but I wouldn't do the same on my MTB's. That's me though.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    cj95 wrote:
    Hi there

    I am upgrading my forks and the pair I have purchased have a shorter steerer tube by 40mm. There is enough room tto put on the new shorter pair if I remove some of the spacers.

    My questions is will this effect the bikes performance at all. I realize the handlebars will be lower but other than that would it make much difference to the bike.

    Many Thanks
    first question is do you have enough spacers to remove?

    any height lost can be got back by changing the stem if needed.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Greer_
    Greer_ Posts: 1,716
    What is the height of your current steerer? And how many and what size of spacers do you have?
  • DodgeT
    DodgeT Posts: 2,255
    If the new forks are longer, that may help to compensate the height loss of the bars.