Originally Posted by
Wileyrat
The steerer tube is sticking out of the stem because he's removed spacers without cutting down the steerer tube. Since the stem is probably clamping below the star nut in the tube, the stem is clamping on the tube with no internal reinforcement, and it's generally considered a bad thing.
Honestly, there's enough going on there, I would walk away.
Btw, I googled the wheels, and there's info out there. I'll let you decide on you own what you think about them.
Figure around 100 bucks or so for a red chainring if Sram still makes them for that crankset.
Actually it is a plus. The star nut does not add significant strength to the steerer tub; its main function is to adjust headset bearings. I'm assuming an alloy steerer tube. Having the headset uncut allows more options on bar height. It can be cut once it is dialed in. I leave about 10-15 mm of steerer above the stem when I cut the steerer tube. You can always cut a little more of if you don't like it, but you can't add it back.
My daughter has been riding for a year with about 25 mm of steerer tube above the stem. Now that she has the stem exacly where she wants t we'll cut it, still leaving a little above the stem.