You are reading a single comment by @thross and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
-
You can run an ahead stem without the spacers if you've got an alloy steerer/star fangled nut, but you need to get the steerer length exactly right. You want the steerer to end 3-5mm below the upper edge of the stem - if you leave it too high, the top cap will pull against the steerer rather than the stem, and your headset won't compress properly.
Not sure if the same translates to full carbon forks with expanders (if that applies?) as I'd imagine you're limited by the length of the bung, plus cutting carbon is more precarious.
Hacksaw and "measure twice, cut once" has served me well with metal steerers over the years either way.
thross
Anyone know if i need to have spacers above my stem on the roadie? I'm getting a new low rise cover which will drop it low but i won't have the spacers to replace the size of the cover. Can i basically have spacer underneath the stem, then bare steerer and then top cap screwed in?