Subject: Re: Stem Dilema Posted by: Dana Bandy on September 10, 1997 at 10:09:45: In Reply to: Stem Dilema posted by C.Delgado on September 08, 1997 at 08:18:58:

Message: : The Facts : aluminum MTB frame w/Threadless headset. : Two spacing washers (about 2mm each) and a clamping stem that : measures about 1.75" of clamp. : topped off with a Conix cap. : Cro-mo fork. : The Problem : NEW Ti stem that measures about 1.25" of clamp. : And a reluctance to chop the .5" off of the : tube from fork that all this HOO-HAH clamps to. : The question : Do I REALLY need to lop that .5" off my fork? : Is .5" too much distance to fill in with a fist full : of spacers? : Can I distribute the .5" of spacers above and below : the stem? (.25" spacers -stem-.25" spacers-cap) The Answer Yes, you can space it out, but try to use as few spacers as possible. I would recommend going to your local bike shop and getting one 10mm spacer and one 5 mm spacer and leaving off one of your 2mm. You can place either one above or below the stem, depending on your desired stem height, but first check for a good fit between the top cap and top spacer. If it is sloppy, leave the spacers at the base of the stem. Please also keep in mind, the higher the steerer tube protrudes from the headset, the more potential for the tube to break under excessive load, though an extra half inch should not be a problem.