Slamming stem with tall headtube -safe?

Escher303
Escher303 Posts: 342
edited November 2012 in Workshop
I've read that you should generally keep one spacer above and one below with carbon forks. At the moment I have two above and one below, I'm gradually becoming more flexible so have been lowering the position.

As my bike has a tall headtube (Ribble Sportive) is it safe to take all the spacers out and slam the stem? I assume it should be okay as there is a fair distance between top and bottom headset bearings, whereas the one spacer above and one below advice may apply to bikes with a short headtube where there'll be less fork to clamp onto. But that's just me guessing. Anyone have an advice? Cheers.

Comments

  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    I think the advice to have a spacer above is to ensure you're not clamping right at the top of a carbon steerer. Can't think why you'd need one below.

    TBH if you have an expander bung that sits inside the steerer where it's clamped, you could probably do away with all the spacers (as long as you still have 2-3mm space above the steerer to allow the top cap to function properly)
  • Thanks Keef