Originally Posted by
12strings
I replaced my stem today, but it seems the new one doesn't take up as much room on the tube as the old one, so I have about a 1/8 space of exposed metal. I suppose it is mostly a cosmetic thing, and probably helps protect it from the elements in bad weather; but do they sell very small spacers. Right now, the stem is sitting on top of all of the standard (3/8"?) spacers; with about 1/8 inch between the top of the stem and the top cap (don't know the technical term for that thing).
Should I try to find a set of small spacers to fill that area? Or is it not a big deal?
Spacers on threadless headsets aren't cosmetic. Without the proper spacers, you can't load the bearings on the headset properly and the headset will loosen. Headset spacers come in a variety of thicknesses from 20mm to 3mm. You need about 3mm of space between the top of the stem and the stem cap to properly load the bearings.
It's a big deal. A loose headset is easily damaged and may have to be replaced. Don't let a $3 part cost you much more than that.