Do you guys think it'd be OK/safe to add one more spacer in this situation? This is my Surly Cross Check, so it has a steel steerer tube. Right now the top of the stem leaves just a little space above the steerer tube top--can I add a wee bit more? The top cap bolt seems long enough, though it would bring that top pinch bolt of the stem up above the top of the steerer tube.

Both bolts of your stem should clamp around the steer tube. If the top bolt is above the steer tube, the pinch bolt could result in cracking of the stem or allow the stem to work loose.

Thanks, that's what I was concerned about!

Yup. If you want the handlebars higher, can you you find a step with a steeper angle?

Yep, I have one. It just looks funky. I know, I know, appearances

You really think 2mm would even make a difference you could feel?

this is a steel steerer - nothing's going to happen to it. My concern might be that the stem might loosen if the top clamping bolt is above the top of the steerer. If not, I'd have no problem adding a few mm of spacer under the stem. If a too-steep stem angle doesn't appeal (and it wouldn't appeal to me), your other option is a set of bars with a little more rise to them.

I dunno--I'm always messing with this bike--it's a WIP. I have different bars and stems I keep swapping in and out. Sometimes I have some flat bars level w the saddle and I really enjoy it for bombing around in the dirt and whatnot. Then I'll go for a long road-ish ride on it and switch back to some alt bars with a backsweep and a higher stem. It's had drops before as well. Another spacer was just one thing I hadn't toyed with yet. Ultimately, I wish I had more steerer tube to work with. I've considered buying a new Cross Check fork for it but they don't make my color any more, so I'd have a black fork on a brown bike....might not be too bad I guess...

I had a Cross Check that had the same problem -- I found out too late that with CCs, you need to leave the steerer pretty tall to make up for the comically short head tube, so I experimented endlessly with bars and stems and riding positions, all in an effort to undo the fact that the steering tube was just too short.

I'd go ahead and just get a new fork. -- at $125, it costs less than a couple of stems and the latest alt bars. I think black goes with anything, but if the color of the replacement bugs you, get some SprayBike and try to match the frame.

I think you're right. The black might be fine looking, but if not Spraybike has a brown that looks pretty spot-on to the Surly color. Good suggestion!

No reason to take chances. Getting a stem of proper height is not that expensive for this bike...

I agree with those that say the steerer tube is going to be fine. I'd be worried about the stem cracking if one bolt was tightened where there was no steerer tube. Also, the stem could more easily break loose or break off if it was only supported partway.

If you could find an identical fork with a longer steerer tube that probably would be your best bet. Or a new fork.