Headset spacer hate

Better.

much cleaner
like it

much cleaner
like it

+1 but does she?

If a frame is measured and built to fit you perfectly then it will require zero spacers.

Spacers just make up for a badly fitting frame, you could instead choose different stems/bars in place of spacers.

Same goes for new forks - I always get them cut exactly to size.

People like to have a tug on there old boy over slammed stems!

If a frame is measured and built to fit you perfectly then it will require zero spacers.

In my life i hope to have one custom frame made.. until then the spacers are fine.

plus positive rise stems are fugly

Hi, just out of curiosity, what are the bike porn guidelines for spacers on top of a stem?

3-5mm of spacer is necessary, porn requires that it is integrated into the top cap :-)

That looks cool - might have to get one of those!

how come 3-5mm spacers are necessary?

If it's a carbon steerer you don't want the stem clamp applying force to the top edge of the steerer tube, the theory being the force can crush and crack it.

Placing a spacer above the stem means all clamping force coming from the stem goes into the walls of the steerer more evenly, reducing the probability of anything nasty happening.

What about aluminium stems (eg a thomson aluminum x4) do you still need a spacer on top? Just trying to learn the rules of bike porn!

It's the steerer tube that matters. Most carbon fork manufacturers now mandate a spacer on top of the stem. In my experience, stems can also walk up aluminium and steel steerers if the top of the stem is above the top of the steerer, so I recommend a spacer on top for all steerer materials just to maintain headset adjustment, but it's safe (for the integrity of the steerer) to have the top of a metal steerer a couple of millimetres below the top of the stem.

Thanks for the tip!

It's the steerer tube that matters. Most carbon fork manufacturers now mandate a spacer on top of the stem. In my experience, stems can also walk up aluminium and steel steerers if the top of the stem is above the top of the steerer, so I recommend a spacer on top for all steerer materials just to maintain headset adjustment, but it's safe (for the integrity of the steerer) to have the top of a metal steerer a couple of millimetres below the top of the stem.

Oh man, if only someone made some sort of top cap that would remove the need for an ugly spacer on top of the stem. Never going to happen though...

Love Titanium / Carbon spacer, but when theres a massive stack, it looks silly.

Think my SS/FG project will use a Quill stem so i wont have to worry... My MTB has a few spacers as im outgrowing it :'(

think it depends on whether you're bothered by having a stack of spacers - i leave a few on to give me some leeway to adjust the height, so i don't cut the tube too short. Also handy if you ever want to sell it and someone might want a different height.