Originally Posted by
rpenmanparker
It depends upon where the expander plug sits in the steerer tube. If the expander plug sits with its top level with the top of the steerer, then you should not put spacers above the stem. The stem should clamp precisely where the plug sits. If the plug can be positioned down the steerer a little ways, then a spacer of that height can be used above the stem. Some forks like Easton's EC 90 XL require a spacer above the stem and actually provide one for that purpose. Others prohibit it. It all depends. I would follow manufacturer's directions.
As far as cutting the steerer tube, you can easily do it yourself with a hacksaw or even better yet, a Dremel tool. If you are like me, you will not get the perfectly clean edge that using a prescribed cutting guide will give, but I can't figure out how that matters. As long as it is not too uneven and the top cap is a couple of millimeters above the top of the stem, the system will work fine.
Thanks, this makes sense. After I removed all the spacers, the expander plug still sits very close to the stem, so I think I should be good for now. Not sure why Cannondale is making such a general statement. My problem now is that even with all the spacers removed, the bars aren't low enough. Will it be ok to remove that large metal piece underneath the spacers to bring the bars even lower? I feel like I will have to buy something else to substitute that piece if I do that. And if the bars are still not low enough, then I will need either a different stem or maybe even a different frame geometry to achieve lower stack. I'm 5.8 and my frame was fitted to me at 52cm at the LBS - don't think I can go smaller on the CAAD10.
Can anyone explain if it matters whether I get a different stem with a steeper drop instead of lowering the bars on the steerer tube? Assuming the reach remains pretty much the same, replacing the stem with something steeper could save the steerer tube from cutting it too much.
My LBS quoted $20 to cut the steerer tube. I might just ask them to do it when the time comes.