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Spacers above the Stem?

coach22 · 2016-01-04 11:44:09

I want to lower the handle bars on my bike. The bike is a Scott and has a carbon steerer tube. The manual that came with the bike states that you should not have more than 5mm of spacers above the stem. I'd like to experiment with different handlebar heights before cutting the steerer tube and with the handle bars at their…

04-01-2016 11:44am

#1

coach22

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I want to lower the handle bars on my bike. The bike is a Scott and has a carbon steerer tube.

The manual that came with the bike states that you should not have more than 5mm of spacers above the stem.

I'd like to experiment with different handlebar heights before cutting the steerer tube and with the handle bars at their lowest I have 40mm of spacers above the stem!

Has anyone any experience with the above? Will it cause the steerer tube to fail if I run more than 5mm?

I have seen other Scott bikes the same as mine with a lot of spacers above the stem so I am not sure whether to chance it or not.

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#2 04-01-2016 12:04pm

cdaly_

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Are you sure the manual said not more than 5mm? The usual thing with carbon steerers is that you should have at least 5mm of spacer above the stem so that the stem is not clamping the cut edge of the steerer. It should be no problem to have more spacers above.

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#3 04-01-2016 12:08pm

Lumen

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http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=98151440

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#4 04-01-2016 12:33pm

Cee-Jay-Cee

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coach22 wrote: »

I want to lower the handle bars on my bike. The bike is a Scott and has a carbon steerer tube.

The manual that came with the bike states that you should not have more than 5mm of spacers above the stem.

I'd like to experiment with different handlebar heights before cutting the steerer tube and with the handle bars at their lowest I have 40mm of spacers above the stem!

Has anyone any experience with the above? Will it cause the steerer tube to fail if I run more than 5mm?

I have seen other Scott bikes the same as mine with a lot of spacers above the stem so I am not sure whether to chance it or not.

As your steerer is carbon you will using an expanding bung to secure the top cap so it's irrelevant how many spacers are above the stem. So long as the bung is secure then run as many spacers as you need/require. Once your satisfied the stem height suits you and you don't or won't want to raise it again you can cut the steerer at the top to reduce the number of spacers needed above the stem BUT if you plan on changing/selling the bike at any stage in the future then maybe leave the steerer uncut as the next owner may prefer the handlebars set higher.

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#5 04-01-2016 2:11pm

coach22

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cdaly_ wrote: »

Are you sure the manual said not more than 5mm? The usual thing with carbon steerers is that you should have at least 5mm of spacer above the stem so that the stem is not clamping the cut edge of the steerer. It should be no problem to have more spacers above.

Yes it definetly states a max of 5mm of spacers above the stem.

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#6 04-01-2016 2:16pm

coach22

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Thanks for the advice folks. Had a read of the previous thread

I think i'll definitely replace the conical spacer I have below for a standard one before moving it above the stem.

Not sure on this compression plug thing so might just bring it to a shop and get their advice on lowering it first.

Really don't want to damage the bike!

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