If the bike in the picture is the bike in question, that's a wicked seat-to-bar drop--looks like eight or nine inches, which is extremely extreme. if the OP is talking about flipping the stem and getting a longer one and doubling the spacer stack .... that's a lot of leverage for a carbon steerer.
Originally Posted by
FBinNY
IME "is it safe?" of this type are like when a woman asks if her dress makes her look fat.
The person asking knows the answer, but is asking hoping folks will lie and make them feel better. If I don't know them I give a straight answer, even if it's bad news. Of course, if married to the person asking, I lie.
To the OP --- this frame is too small for you, and you can't stretch it like a pair of tight shoes.
Originally Posted by
shelbyfv
I think he was joking about the pros. Seriously, OP, whatever deal you got on the bike, you need to move on. Strip it and sell on CL, get something that fits even if it's not as fancy.
FBinNY and shelbyfv are being honest. There is simply no point in building up this bike.
Sell the frame for as much as you can before it gets miles on it ... a frame which you can honestly claim has "fewer than 20" (or whatever) miles on it should sell for a decent price---eventually---whereas a "slightly used" frame is just an old frame, to a buyer.
Buy a frame which fits. If you cannot afford another Willier right now, buy something cheaper. use the components and save your cash and buy the frame you really one want---which means, the model you want from the manufacturer you want, in the size you need--and build that up.
Or ... ride it and take your chances. It is possible that you could ride that thing hard for the rest of your life and not have a problem. it is equally possible that the steerer could snap on a steep downhill and that would be the rest of your life, done and over.
OR .... get a plus-17 degree stem and use fewer spacers ... and gamble away.