eric, i think you are right... there were 3-4 spacers under the stem on the one 64cm bike i sat on... i was hoping to be able to order a speicalized bike from the factory without head tube cut, but it sounds as if they don't do that, unless someone out there knows otherwise, and that i should push the subject with the LBS (with whom i am VERY happy) 'plug for cross country cycling and fitness'