Specialized stem top cap orientation

[Mr Haematocrit]

Out of curiosity here when you state 'shim' do you mean the stem riser as shown in this picture?

This riser remains square to the steerer and adjusts the minor angle rise of the stem.
I don't have these as I use zipp stems, but it made no difference to my top cap position when I did.

 

[Broadside]

Yes, Specialized call the stem riser a shim in the tech doc :-)

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Ahh right.. imho the riser does not make the slightest bit of difference with regards to top cap position, when I ran a stem with this feature, nobody ever made me aware of this and likewise for a while I also ran this stem with a after market top cap with no markings at all.. I experienced no issues even on my race bike.
Interesting document though

 

[Broadside]

Yes I think perhaps Specialized making a bit of a song-and-dance about the technology in their design features but I can forgive them because I like their bikes!

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

but I can forgive them because I like their bikes!

Same here, I have five of the buggers