Stem spacer issue

barrybridges
barrybridges Posts: 420
edited April 2013 in Workshop
Last week I changed the (old) stem on my bike to an ITM Visia stem. Nothing special, but a bit lighter and looks a bit nicer.

However, I've created two problems and I'm not sure how to solve them.

The issue is that when I screw the stem cap bolt into the steerer, there's about a 1mm gap between the stem cap and the stem, as you can see from this pic:

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=e00obt&s=6

So my first question is: can I get a spacer to fill that gap?

However, the second issue that I'm not sure a spacer will actually fit well. On the underside of the stem cap, it's not flat, but curved, as you can see from this image:

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=11l4d3d&s=6

From what I can see with my eyes, the top of the stem - where the stem cap screws into - isn't perfectly flat either, so I'm worried that if I put a spacer there it's still not going to be a nice, flush, tight fit.

Any ideas what I can do? Am I able to replace the stem cap with a new cap that has a flat underside, with a spacer underneath?

Anyone else had this issue?

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    as you have fitted a new stem with less stack height you will need to add/change your spacers.

    yes you can get some and yes they will fit.

    happens evey day.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • The Mechanic
    The Mechanic Posts: 1,277
    You need to add spacer height under the stem, not above it. You might have to play around with the combination of spacers to get the correct stack height.
    I have only two things to say to that; Bo***cks
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    There's no reason you can't have a spacer above the stem - some fork manufacturers prefer you do - the important thing is getting the right bar height, the rest is aesthetics
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • g00se
    g00se Posts: 2,221
    A spacer above should fit, a spacer has the same inside diameter as the stem so if the cap will fit on the stem normally, then it'll fit on a spacer. My guess is the stack hight on the new stem is shorter than the old one - so not the cap is fouling against the steerer.

    I had something similar on mine with the cap fouling the top of the carbon steerer bung.

    Put a spacer above. It's a standard practice with some carbon steerers as these need to have a little bit of steerer showing out of the top of the stem so there's a reduced risk of crushing the end. The spacers covers this and allow the cap to sit properly.

Categories