Spacer above the stem?

on-yer-bike
on-yer-bike Posts: 2,974
edited September 2013 in Workshop
How important is it to have a spacer above the stem? I see pro bikes dont have one but they seem to work to a different set of rules on lots of things.
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Comments

  • trooperk
    trooperk Posts: 189
    Not important, I do it because it spread the load better as it covers 100% of the stem and away from the edge of the steerer tube.
    Specialized-The clitoris of bikes.
  • arran77
    arran77 Posts: 9,260
    Leaving a spacer above the stem also means that if you come to sell the bike it gives more options to someone buying the bike in terms of how high or low they want the stem plus if you ever need to for some reason it means you can raise the stem up too.

    I have one 10mm spacer above the stem by the way.
    "Arran, you are like the Tony Benn of smut. You have never diluted your depravity and always stand by your beliefs. You have my respect sir and your wife my pity" :lol:

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  • mattsccm
    mattsccm Posts: 409
    As above but it doesn't look as nice and if the bike fits properly it isn't really needed.
    Don't have several though. Please.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Scott, and possibly Cannondale, insist on a maximum of 5mm spacers above the stem on their carbon steerers. I think it's because their expander bung sits flush with the top of the steerer, and this ensures the stem is clamping the part of the steerer supported by the bung.

    I have no spacers above mine. I think it looks better, and I ain't never going to sell it!
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    2mm spacer. Any more is a definite no-no.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • simonj
    simonj Posts: 346
    keef66 wrote:
    Scott, and possibly Cannondale, insist on a maximum of 5mm spacers above the stem on their carbon steerers. I think it's because their expander bung sits flush with the top of the steerer, and this ensures the stem is clamping the part of the steerer supported by the bung.

    I have no spacers above mine. I think it looks better, and I ain't never going to sell it!
    Very intrigued, I have never heard of this, I have also had 6-7 Cannondale and Scott bikes with full carbon forks and non have had a spacer above when they arrived from the bike shop (3-4 differnt ones). In fact I put a spacer above on one of my bikes and someone said after I shouldn't have done it, but I could see why not. Only thing I thought was maybe the bung inside was not fully covering the area where the stem clamp goes.
  • migrantwing
    migrantwing Posts: 385
    This question is asked so many times on bike forums. I have a full carbon fork and steerer, I personally have 1 x 5mm spacer above the stem. This, as mentioned above by others, allows for a full section of the steerer tube to be clamped by the stem and not just the top, which can cause crushing of the carbon fibre. Some people do, some people dont. Some companies say do, some say don't. It's one of those things :)
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  • boblo
    boblo Posts: 360
    Slight correction on Scott from the SL thread. Scott don't insist on anything above the stem but if you must, they advise it's less than 5mm.

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