Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - too many spacers (like 1.5") on threadless headset look funny?

I just realized that this might be what's making my surly steamroller look really strange, the three .5" spacers that really jack up the stem. Wouldn't it make more sense to have less and have a stem that slopes up?

Yes?

Positive rise stems are great, every one just talk tons of **** on em

why?

I dont know why, but I'll always hear people talking **** about how it looks like a comfort bike

This is an easy one to try out. Flip the stem and place one of the spacers above the stem.

If you can fit another stem on there instead of the spacers, you can cut down an old handlebar and use that to hold a handlebar bag or your electronics.

Also, what bike is this that came with a long steerer tube?

that probably puts it at the same height as a quill stem

1.5" really isnt that much

surly steamroller complete.. yeah i guess its not that much, it just looks funky b/c i'm used to a threaded stem (see link in my sig)

I dunno I have about 4 or 5 of those spacers and a zero degree stem
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1165/1478681326_c96bc25128.jpg

ride what works best for you the people that talk **** about looks don't ride their bikes they hang em on the wall and oogle em

I dont know why, but I'll always hear people talking **** about how it looks like a comfort bike

I think most of these people ride track bikes with risers, though.

i have about two inches or so of quarter inch and eighth inch spacers under my eight degree drop stem. i routinely switch out stems with different stack heights too so i have to be able to play around with my spacers.

there's nothing wrong with a few spacers... that's why they make them.

Ride your bike. Is it comfortable? If not then flip your stem or rearrange spacers as needed. If its already comfortable, then stop looking at it and ride it.

Dude those spoke beads are totally rad.

Flipping the stem up is fine. Yeah, it doesn't look like a pro roadie. But look at the stems on pro track sprinters, many flip up because it's stiffer. Pro does it = cool.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2006/apr06/wtc06/tech/track_worlds_bikes/MS003.jpg

If you get a top race cap of the "tall" style as pictured below, it will look less weird. I have ~1 3/4" of spacers including the top race cap and I think it looks just fine.

Tall race cap:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/cane%20creek%20is2%20headset%20ind.jpg

Short race cap:
http://img.epinions.com/images/opti/f0/41/pr-Bike_Parts_Accessories-Cane_Creek_S-Pro_Headset-resized200.jpg

there's nothing wrong with a few spacers... that's why they make them.

A lot of small spacers can lead to play in the headset.


I am against flipping the stem and cutting the steerer tue off cause it leaves less options for the future.

I noticed excessive flex when I ran 2" of spacers. I'm down to about 1" now and the headtube area flexes less when climbing or sprinting.

I am against flipping the stem and cutting the steerer tue off cause it leaves less options for the future.

+1 on not cutting the steerer tube off, though you can flip your stem if you want to. Right now I have 2cm of steerer tube up above my stem and 2 cm below it, leaving me plenty of room to adjust the height depending on the ride. Trust me, no one really notices or cares. Being able to raise you stem quickly and easily will save your neck if you ever try to ride 70+ miles against the wind.