Removing Spacers Under Stem

ibr17xvii

Does this have an affect anywhere else?

I got a new bike at the back end of last year & am still fine tuning my position. I'm reasonably comfortable but messing about with the front end is something I've never really done.

The bike has a stack of 577mm & 30mm spacers underneath with a 100mm stem.

I guess I'd be better removing small increments at a time, say 10mm, but does any of that increase my reach? Should I be considering getting a shorter stem (although 90mm sounds a bit short) or moving my saddle forward a tad?

I'm tempted to go down the route of if it ain't broke don't fix it but I'm also quite interested to see how I get on with a slightly lower front end as I do like to tinker with position now & again (don't we all?!?!)

wilberforce

If you just want to try out the adjustment then move one or two spacers from below the stem to above it. If you then do not get on with the adjusted position, it is a simple job to move the spacers back before you have done any cutting of the steerer.

singleton

The head tube angle on a bike means that the head tube itself is angled towards you, and so as you remove spacers and make the handlebars lower, the reach will increase slightly.

E.g. if you have a 100mm stem (not sure what the stem angle is but let's assume zero degrees), and remove 10mm of spacer with a head angle of 73 degrees, then you will increase your reach by 3mm and decrease your stack by 9mm. I can't comment on whether you will notice a 3mm increase in reach, but I don't think I would.

If you move your saddle forward by 3mm to compensate then you will also affect the relationship between your hips and pedals, which may mean a slight increase in saddle height is necessary. I'd remove a spacer and see what you think.

I didn't do the maths, I used this tool:
http://yojimg.net/bike/web_tools/stem.php

seanoconn

I wouldn’t move the seat forward to compensate reach. A slightly higher stack and a 10mm shorter stem will result in more relaxed position (if that’s your aim) without compromising the rest of your bike set up.

ibr17xvii

singleton said:

The head tube angle on a bike means that the head tube itself is angled towards you, and so as you remove spacers and make the handlebars lower, the reach will increase slightly.

E.g. if you have a 100mm stem (not sure what the stem angle is but let's assume zero degrees), and remove 10mm of spacer with a head angle of 73 degrees, then you will increase your reach by 3mm and decrease your stack by 9mm. I can't comment on whether you will notice a 3mm increase in reach, but I don't think I would.

If you move your saddle forward by 3mm to compensate then you will also affect the relationship between your hips and pedals, which may mean a slight increase in saddle height is necessary. I'd remove a spacer and see what you think.

I didn't do the maths, I used this tool:
http://yojimg.net/bike/web_tools/stem.php

That's a really useful link, cheers for that.

ibr17xvii

seanoconn said:

I wouldn’t move the seat forward to compensate reach. A slightly higher stack and a 10mm shorter stem will result in more relaxed position (if that’s your aim) without compromising the rest of your bike set up.

I'm looking to do the reverse really, get slightly lower at the front just as an experiment so reduce stack & was interested to see what, if any, other slight changes I'd have to make i.e. with stem length, saddle height or fore / aft.

seanoconn

ibr17xvii said:

seanoconn said:

I wouldn’t move the seat forward to compensate reach. A slightly higher stack and a 10mm shorter stem will result in more relaxed position (if that’s your aim) without compromising the rest of your bike set up.

I'm looking to do the reverse really, get slightly lower at the front just as an experiment so reduce stack & was interested to see what, if any, other slight changes I'd have to make i.e. with stem length, saddle height or fore / aft.

Sorry, completely mis-read your post 😂

johngti

ibr17xvii said:

seanoconn said:

I wouldn’t move the seat forward to compensate reach. A slightly higher stack and a 10mm shorter stem will result in more relaxed position (if that’s your aim) without compromising the rest of your bike set up.

I'm looking to do the reverse really, get slightly lower at the front just as an experiment so reduce stack & was interested to see what, if any, other slight changes I'd have to make i.e. with stem length, saddle height or fore / aft.

Don’t use saddle position to adjust reach, it’ll buggerup your knees etc. If 100mm is too long a stem, go for 90mm. You won’t notice a difference in the steering.

MattFalle

Do not adjust saddle position for reach - compketely nothing to do with it and you'll mess up your hips and your bike will look like a jeff bag.

John G- T is totally correct.

ibr17xvii

johngti said:

ibr17xvii said:

seanoconn said:

I wouldn’t move the seat forward to compensate reach. A slightly higher stack and a 10mm shorter stem will result in more relaxed position (if that’s your aim) without compromising the rest of your bike set up.

I'm looking to do the reverse really, get slightly lower at the front just as an experiment so reduce stack & was interested to see what, if any, other slight changes I'd have to make i.e. with stem length, saddle height or fore / aft.

Don’t use saddle position to adjust reach, it’ll buggerup your knees etc. If 100mm is too long a stem, go for 90mm. You won’t notice a difference in the steering.

MattFalle said:

Do not adjust saddle position for reach - compketely nothing to do with it and you'll mess up your hips and your bike will look like a jeff bag.

John G- T is totally correct.

Cheers. One of my knees is knackered enough already so deffo don’t want to do that.

Sounds like I’d have to invest in a 90mm stem & then reduce the stack gradually to see how it goes.

Will have to have a think & see how desperately I want to tinker if I need to buy a new stem.

Thanks for the replies everyone, at least I’m clearer in my own mind what the score is.

pblakeney

ibr17xvii said:

johngti said:

ibr17xvii said:

seanoconn said:

I wouldn’t move the seat forward to compensate reach. A slightly higher stack and a 10mm shorter stem will result in more relaxed position (if that’s your aim) without compromising the rest of your bike set up.

I'm looking to do the reverse really, get slightly lower at the front just as an experiment so reduce stack & was interested to see what, if any, other slight changes I'd have to make i.e. with stem length, saddle height or fore / aft.

Don’t use saddle position to adjust reach, it’ll buggerup your knees etc. If 100mm is too long a stem, go for 90mm. You won’t notice a difference in the steering.

MattFalle said:

Do not adjust saddle position for reach - compketely nothing to do with it and you'll mess up your hips and your bike will look like a jeff bag.

John G- T is totally correct.

Cheers. One of my knees is knackered enough already so deffo don’t want to do that.

Sounds like I’d have to invest in a 90mm stem & then reduce the stack gradually to see how it goes.

Will have to have a think & see how desperately I want to tinker if I need to buy a new stem.

Thanks for the replies everyone, at least I’m clearer in my own mind what the score is.

Buy cheap versions on eBay to find the right size then sell on or scrap and buy a good model in the correct size. Any stem will do the job really though.

seanoconn

MattFalle said:

Do not adjust saddle position for reach - compketely nothing to do with it and you'll mess up your hips and your bike will look like a jeff bag.

John G- T is totally correct.

I said that! Flipping popularity contest around here 😕

MattFalle

seanoconn said:

MattFalle said:

Do not adjust saddle position for reach - compketely nothing to do with it and you'll mess up your hips and your bike will look like a jeff bag.

John G- T is totally correct.

I said that! Flipping popularity contest around here 😕

who are you?

MattFalle

pblakeney said:

ibr17xvii said:

johngti said:

ibr17xvii said:

seanoconn said:

I wouldn’t move the seat forward to compensate reach. A slightly higher stack and a 10mm shorter stem will result in more relaxed position (if that’s your aim) without compromising the rest of your bike set up.

I'm looking to do the reverse really, get slightly lower at the front just as an experiment so reduce stack & was interested to see what, if any, other slight changes I'd have to make i.e. with stem length, saddle height or fore / aft.

Don’t use saddle position to adjust reach, it’ll buggerup your knees etc. If 100mm is too long a stem, go for 90mm. You won’t notice a difference in the steering.

MattFalle said:

Do not adjust saddle position for reach - compketely nothing to do with it and you'll mess up your hips and your bike will look like a jeff bag.

John G- T is totally correct.

Cheers. One of my knees is knackered enough already so deffo don’t want to do that.

Sounds like I’d have to invest in a 90mm stem & then reduce the stack gradually to see how it goes.

Will have to have a think & see how desperately I want to tinker if I need to buy a new stem.

Thanks for the replies everyone, at least I’m clearer in my own mind what the score is.

Buy cheap versions on eBay to find the right size then sell on or scrap and buy a good model in the correct size. Any stem will do the job really though.

this.

if you want to be posh and buy a new one, Planet X were knocking there own ones - that are actually very good - at something like £7.

Tbh, pop down LBS and they generally have a box of old stuff kicking around - them them a packet of scratchings and a copy of Razzle and they'll let you have one.

ibr17xvii

Thanks, I’ll go & raid the loft for a copy later.

Failing that a cheap version will do just fine for now. As this is just purely for my own experiment the less it costs the better.

Also interested to see what difference a shorter stem makes. This is the 1st time I’ve used a 100mm never mind anything shorter & TBH I can’t tell the difference.

It’s only a cheap Level branded Ribble stem I have now so it will be a decent excuse to get something better / lighter anyway.

So the consensus is stick on a 90mm stem, take 10mm from under the stem & see how it goes?

johngti

Sounds like a plan. But you can always try just moving spacers first and seeing how the reach feels. You might be fine with it

johngti

seanoconn said:

MattFalle said:

Do not adjust saddle position for reach - compketely nothing to do with it and you'll mess up your hips and your bike will look like a jeff bag.

John G- T is totally correct.

I said that! Flipping popularity contest around here 😕

Obviously the extra wisdomous way I said it made the difference.

ibr17xvii

johngti said:

Sounds like a plan. But you can always try just moving spacers first and seeing how the reach feels. You might be fine with it

Think I will just try that 1st before I lash out any money.

Taking 10mm from under the stem initially might not be noticeable at all.

MattFalle

Just slam it like its meant to be.

it'll take 2 rides to get used to, look mega, save weight and get you laid loads.

you know it makes sense.

#spacersareforlosers
#slammed

ibr17xvii

MattFalle said:

Just slam it like its meant to be.

it'll take 2 rides to get used to, look mega, save weight and get you laid loads.

you know it makes sense.

#spacersareforlosers
#slammed

If only it were that simple

MattFalle

ibr17xvii said:

MattFalle said:

Just slam it like its meant to be.

it'll take 2 rides to get used to, look mega, save weight and get you laid loads.

you know it makes sense.

#spacersareforlosers
#slammed

If only it were that simple

but it is my friend, it is.

veronese68

Sorry I'm late to the popularity contest. Take a spacer out from under the stem and put it above, reassemble without changing anything else and see how it feels. That's free other than a bit of time spent fettling. If it feels good, do another one. Carry on like this, if you feel a shorter stem will help, go for a cheap one first and see how it feels.
As a wise old guy I worked with used to say "suck it and see"

masjer

veronese68 said:

As a wise old guy I worked with used to say "suck it and see"

He's on the sex offenders register now.

dannbodge

The best bit about taking spacers out is eventually you get to do this.....

ibr17xvii

dannbodge said:

The best bit about taking spacers out is eventually you get to do this.....

I guess that’s what it boils down to - am I able to get to that point.

I think I’m far too old & inflexible to have it slammed completely but purely for experimental & aesthetic purposes I’d like to give it a go.

Bit of an extra ballache I have my Di2 junction box strapped to the stem so I might need another band but not a dealbreaker.

ibr17xvii

veronese68 said:

Sorry I'm late to the popularity contest. Take a spacer out from under the stem and put it above, reassemble without changing anything else and see how it feels. That's free other than a bit of time spent fettling. If it feels good, do another one. Carry on like this, if you feel a shorter stem will help, go for a cheap one first and see how it feels.
As a wise old guy I worked with used to say "suck it and see"

Got to clean the bike this afternoon anyway so gonna take out 10mm whilst I’m at it & give it a ride tomorrow.

I think I will notice even it is only a 3mm or so increase in the reach but will do half a dozen rides before I make up my mind.

dannbodge

dannbodge said:

The best bit about taking spacers out is eventually you get to do this.....

I'm now running no spacers under mine

ibr17xvii said:

dannbodge said:

The best bit about taking spacers out is eventually you get to do this.....

I guess that’s what it boils down to - am I able to get to that point.

I think I’m far too old & inflexible to have it slammed completely but purely for experimental & aesthetic purposes I’d like to give it a go.

Bit of an extra ballache I have my Di2 junction box strapped to the stem so I might need another band but not a dealbreaker.

Yeah luckily I'm still flexible enough to get away with it. Even on this winter/commuting bike haha

Perfect time to upgrade to the bar end junction box too then!

pblakeney

ibr17xvii said:

veronese68 said:

Sorry I'm late to the popularity contest. Take a spacer out from under the stem and put it above, reassemble without changing anything else and see how it feels. That's free other than a bit of time spent fettling. If it feels good, do another one. Carry on like this, if you feel a shorter stem will help, go for a cheap one first and see how it feels.
As a wise old guy I worked with used to say "suck it and see"

Got to clean the bike this afternoon anyway so gonna take out 10mm whilst I’m at it & give it a ride tomorrow.

I think I will notice even it is only a 3mm or so increase in the reach but will do half a dozen rides before I make up my mind.

Reach is unlikely to be an issue.
Your back will let you know. 😉

ibr17xvii

dannbodge said:

dannbodge said:

The best bit about taking spacers out is eventually you get to do this.....

I'm now running no spacers under mine

ibr17xvii said:

dannbodge said:

The best bit about taking spacers out is eventually you get to do this.....

I guess that’s what it boils down to - am I able to get to that point.

I think I’m far too old & inflexible to have it slammed completely but purely for experimental & aesthetic purposes I’d like to give it a go.

Bit of an extra ballache I have my Di2 junction box strapped to the stem so I might need another band but not a dealbreaker.

Yeah luckily I'm still flexible enough to get away with it. Even on this winter/commuting bike haha

Perfect time to upgrade to the bar end junction box too then!

Good point.

I didn't bother with the bar end junction box as it was too expensive (what isn't with Di2?) compared to the normal junction box.

This may be a good point to upgrade but then the cost is creeping up......

ibr17xvii

pblakeney said:

ibr17xvii said:

veronese68 said:

Sorry I'm late to the popularity contest. Take a spacer out from under the stem and put it above, reassemble without changing anything else and see how it feels. That's free other than a bit of time spent fettling. If it feels good, do another one. Carry on like this, if you feel a shorter stem will help, go for a cheap one first and see how it feels.
As a wise old guy I worked with used to say "suck it and see"

Got to clean the bike this afternoon anyway so gonna take out 10mm whilst I’m at it & give it a ride tomorrow.

I think I will notice even it is only a 3mm or so increase in the reach but will do half a dozen rides before I make up my mind.

Reach is unlikely to be an issue.
Your back will let you know. 😉

Or my neck.

I do have issues with that from time to time which is why it will be small increments getting removed from under the stem.

ibr17xvii

For anyone that's interested had a ride with 1 spacer removed today & have to say I felt really uncomfortable.

Didn't think it would make that much difference & maybe some of it is psychological but I did feel a bit more stretched out.

Amazing how 1 10mm spacer can make such a difference.

Will give it 4 or 5 more rides before I make my mind up.