Spacers/Stem Slam

[Glasgow44]

Hi there

I’m probably worrying over nothing but its my good bike (Bianchi). The other week I took it to Evans because it was more convenient (I didn’t buy it there) and asked them to drop one of the spacers. I then took it back last night again for them to drop another spacer (I’m experimenting with position). I could try and drop them myself but I’d rather let the experts do it.

Anyway, the first time I went in for them to drop the spacer, the guy seemed to be really on the ball and know what he was doing.

Last night, the second time I took it in, it was a different guy. He knew what he was doing but had to ask one of the other guys if what he was doing was correct. He also made a comment that he might have to look up the internet.

The bike is riding fine.

I know I’m probably worrying over nothing!

 

[DCLane]

Dropping a spacer is easy enough to do: it's making sure the bolts aren't too loose / too tight that's the challenge.

 

[roadrash]

At least he asked if what he was doing was correct and didn't just wing it , watch you tube videos , it is an easy job to do yourself.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

As others have said, it's an easy job to do. I'm going the other way to you and raising the handlebars on my fixed to see if a more upright stance is easier on my back. One spacer then ride and see how it feels before deciding if it needs a second.

 

[ColinJ]

It is a very easy job. It would only take about 1 minute of YouTube video research to learn how to do it, and then a minute or 2 to actually do it. I would rather do that myself than have someone else try to learn how to do it for me!

I have lowered the bars on my bikes so several of them now have one or more spacers above. I am considering cutting the steerers down so I don't need the extra spacers, but that would mean I couldn't raise the bars again if I became less flexible with age. It isn't really a factor for me, but if you were to cut a steerer you would reduce the number of people who might want to buy the bike in the future. It is also a more tricky and permanent procedure than simply moving spacers.

 

[Pumpkin the robot]

It is a very easy job. It would only take about 1 minute of YouTube video research to learn how to do it, and then a minute or 2 to actually do it. I would rather do that myself than have someone else try to learn how to do it for me!

I have lowered the bars on my bikes so several of them now have one or more spacers above. I am considering cutting the steerers down so I don't need the extra spacers, but that would mean I couldn't raise the bars again if I became less flexible with age. It isn't really a factor for me, but if you were to cut a steerer you would reduce the number of people who might want to buy the bike in the future. It is also a more tricky and permanent procedure than simply moving spacers.

I have always ridden with the front end low, and cut the steerer as short as it would go. I regretted it after an accident in which a fractured a few bones in my neck and back, as I could not raise the front at all when I got back to riding. But I think it looks a little silly if you have spacers above the stem! Thankfully I am now back to riding low on the front and it isn't an issue!

 

[ColinJ]

I have always ridden with the front end low, and cut the steerer as short as it would go. I regretted it after an accident in which a fractured a few bones in my neck and back, as I could not raise the front at all when I got back to riding.

Yikes - nasty, but it sounds like you were lucky that it wasn't much worse!

But I think it looks a little silly if you have spacers above the stem!

My cyclocross bike is already looking a bit daft and there are more spacers that I might move, which would make the appearance even worse. I reckon I will cut that steerer once I have settled on the right bar height for me.

Thankfully I am now back to riding low on the front and it isn't an issue!

Glad to hear it!

 

[lazyfatgit]

If you have a carbon steerer you may have to get a longer insert so the steerer is supported where the stem clamps. Otherwise theres a chance you may crush the steerer.
On my cannondale the top cap is on a pretty short wedge and the instructions specify the height the stem must be within top be properly clamped.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

My cyclocross bike is already looking a bit daft and there are more spacers that I might move, which would make the appearance even worse. I reckon I will cut that steerer once I have settled on the right bar height for me.

View attachment 455193


Glad to hear it!

I recon thats OK myself, I've seen bikes with a lot more above the bars, all my bikes have a few spacers above the handlebars and I wouldn't cut the steerers down on them.

 

[freiston]

If you've got the room, put one of these at the bottom of your stack and you can play with the order of everything above to your heart's content without having to worry about preloading the bearings.

 

[Smokin Joe]

If you've got the room, put one of these at the bottom of your stack and you can play with the order of everything above to your heart's content without having to worry about preloading the bearings.

Neat idea.

 

[freiston]

Neat idea.

My bike came with a spacerless system made by NVO. When I wanted to change the bars and stem, there was not much that was compatible and available at the right price. I converted to conventional spacers and stem but my cantilever brakes have a cable hanger which locks just above the headset which also does the same job as the locking spacer that I linked to above. I experimented with different spacer stacks and flipping the stem with ridiculous ease. It also means that the headset cap becomes redundant in terms of intended function and you can play around with using it as a computer mount etc. (Sheldon mentioned going threadless without spacers too - link https://sheldonbrown.com/handsup.html)