Newbie help again

[emac1ennan]

So after someone rightly pointing out I made another faux pas. So in changing my handlebar and stem I have left myself a gap inthe fork steerer? (As seen in pic)

Can I just buy a bigger clamp?

Thanks all

 

[MichaelW2]

The top cap compresses the whole stack of spacers and stem to achieve the correct setting on the bearings. You need another spacer to raise the top of the stack just above the top of the steerer. If the stack does not exceed the steerer height, you get no compression at all.

 

[youngoldbloke]

^^ this - looks like a 5mm spacer on top (or below) the stem might do it. Measure it. Unfortunately the 'stack height' of all stems is not the same!

 

[roadrash]

your local bike shop should be able to supply you with a 5mm spacer, in fact i will have a mooch in shed later, cant promise though.

 

[PatrickPending]

as the above - spacers are quite cheap eg from here

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/s?q=spacers

just get the right diameter for your forks - likely to be 1 1/8 - also check the height you need - as youngoldbloke says measure the distance between the top compression cap and the top of the steerer. Buy the appropriate spacer(s) for the gap - bearing in mind the cap dopes add compression so you want a tad more height in spacers.

 

[Citius]

You are also missing a headset top cover and that headset looks destroyed anyway. But with that many spacers already - plus an upturned 17deg stem - I can't help thinking your bike is the wrong size for you. Either that or you have major back issues.

 

[accountantpete]

The arrangement next to the headtube looks all wrong. As stated above you need the cap that goes over the bearings to keep the water out. It also fits over the compression ring (the metal ring next to the spacers) - you may find that with the cap fitted (presuming you have it) that the space is taken up.

 

[raleighnut]

Have you forgotten to fit the bearing top cap, that would account for the gap.

 

[raleighnut]

The arrangement next to the headtube looks all wrong. As stated above you need the cap that goes over the bearings to keep the water out. It also fits over the compression ring (the metal ring next to the spacers) - you may find that with the cap fitted (presuming you have it) that the space is taken up.

Ditto, great minds etc.

 

[emac1ennan]

On risk of sounding really stupid. Headset top cover? Lol

Starting to think with my lack of knowledge should have bought a new bike rather than a project :-(

 

[midlife]

Sheldon Brown covers threadless headsets.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/headsets.html

Shaun

 

[accountantpete]

Just to save you searching - this is what you should have (the top cap goes at the top of the steerer and the seal goes under the spacers).

There should be upper and lower headtube races but they seem to be missing in your pic!

 

[MichaelW2]

The contents of the headset stack vary, there are lots of different designs. Have you left part out, are the bits in the correct order and is anything upside-down.

 

[PatrickPending]

most likely the new stem is of a different depth so just a spacer required........

 

[Citius]

and is anything upside-down

The stem?