Touring - disadvantage to lots of spacers?

Still gathering info for my future LHT build. Just read the thread on LHT forks...

Is there a disadvantage to leaving the tube a little long, and having a stack of spacers under the stem?

Under the stem means you have an upright position and more weight on ass, so I guess it's a mater of how that works for you. I like a stack of spacers and an uncut stem, looks wise and it doesn't affect the strength of the set-up significantly on a 1.125" stearing tube like an LHT. A one inch is presumably fine, but one needs to keep in mind that the tube is taking some load from it and is not as strong as the larger tube.

The one disadvantage I see is that your bike will be extremely comfortable causing you to want to ride it day after day, mile after mile, with no pain in the hand, arms or shoulders. Oh, wait, that really isn't a disadvantage is it.

Here is my setup. I put the spacers that are on top on the bottom now and flipped the stem over so that it is level. I think it looks a lot better that way. It is probably about 7cm of spacers not counting the cable hanger.
51292

and if your clever with the spacers you can put in alternating silver/black or silver red or whatver anodized colors you can find, for a neat effect.

or if you have enough room, add a second, flipped stem, and make a custom "drop" handlebar bag mount with a short piece of old handlebar. Or mount your lights or what have ya. (if you mount your lights there they are protected form damage if oyu flip the bike over onto the handlebars (ie truing your wheels, maintenance etc).

or if you have enough room, add a second, flipped stem, and make a custom "drop" handlebar bag mount with a short piece of old handlebar. Or mount your lights or what have ya.

That is a sweet idea! :)

^ if your using it to mount lights, use a 6" piece of old handlebar....PLENTY of room for two lights, and a computer. Plus you can also mount bar end lights on the SIDES now..... :)

^ if your using it to mount lights, use a 6" piece of old handlebar....PLENTY of room for two lights, and a computer. Plus you can also mount bar end lights on the SIDES now..... :)

Yes, here is a site with pictures demonstrating this idea:

http://mgagnon.net/velo/potence-double.en.shtml

.....if you have enough room, add a second, flipped stem, and make a custom "drop" handlebar bag mount with a short piece of old handlebar......Excellent idea! St. John Street Cycles (http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Thorn-Thorn-Accessory-Bar-(T-shaped)-with-55mm-extension--mounts-to-1-1-8inch-steerer-tube-for-lights-computers-etc-11041.htm) sells something already made up just for that purpose. And they will mail to the USA.

:D handlebars for the extremely narrow framed person :D:D:D:D:D:D

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/images/products/11041thorn_l.jpg


:D aaaah but seriously, thats exactly what i was talking about, but they have made it a lot slicker!
nice!

and if your clever with the spacers you can put in alternating silver/black or silver red or whatver anodized colors you can find, for a neat effect.


Here is a good place to get some custom spacers. I got a 4cm spacer from them, and it is pretty nice. It has a really good polish on it.

http://www.purelycustom.com/bicycle_Spacers.html

http://www.purelycustom.com/images/bicycle/Spacers/SpacerAppShot.gif
This isn't my spacer I just thought it looked cool.