Originally Posted by
Andrew R Stewart
The expansion plug should be centered on the stem. The stem clamp bolts only need to be tight enough for the stem to stay put under hard steering imputes. Did you apply any carbon paste? Don't worry about the spacers above the stem, they're along for the ride and to proving compression transfer. In fact once the stem is set (and the headset adjustment is done) the top cap and above spacers could be removed without concers.
Thanks. I forgot to put on any cf assembly paste, but the stem stays put at 6Nm. It was a click type torque wrench, and it didn't have a setting for 5Nm, so I went with 6Nm.
Originally Posted by
DaveSSS
The setup should be fine, just don't go nuts tightening the stem clamp bolts. 5Nm is plenty.
I used a torque wrench as mentioned.
Originally Posted by
FBinNY
Anything above the stem doesn't count except for the risk of getting impaled in a crash. I prefer to keep the stack below the stem at 20-25mm max, and you're well within that. I've seen people with 40-50mm under the stem, and haven't heart (1st hand) of any failures, but of course it depends on how you ride. If you tend to work the bars hard when climbing or sprinting, or ride on lots of Pave, then I suggest you keep the stack short just in case.
BTW- there's no need to ever cut the fork, but cosmetics, or wanting to avoid being impaled may have you cutting it down after you've found your preferred stem height and ridden with a while to confirm.
Thanks! I hate the aesthetics of a long stack above the stem, so I will definitely cut it if I keep the bike. I don't think I work the bars hard. I usually stay seated and work the quads when climbing, but I sometimes do a bit of out of saddle sprinting. Before I lowered the stem, the stack height below the steerer was 30mm.
How long are expansion plugs usually? I want to know if there is enough of the plug supporting the stem clamp.