How many spacers on a threadless headset is too many?
#1
Not lost wanderer.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Kampong Cham, Cambodia but I have quite a few in Lancaster, PA
Posts: 3,162
Bikes: In USA; 73 Raleigh Super Course dingle speed, 72 Raleigh Gran Sport SS, 72 Geoffry Butler, 81 Centurion Pro-Tour, 74 Gugie Grandier Sportier
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 826 Post(s)
Liked 804 Times
in
433 Posts
How many spacers on a threadless headset is too many?
I have this folder and I want to keep the small size but want to raise the handlebars. I Have a new fork coming that is 295 mm and I am hoping that I can put a bunch of spacers under the stem and top cap.
Right now, the total stack from crown race to top cap is 190mm. I am wondering if putting 80mm of spacers is too much?

New cables and housings.

New shifters and brake levers on a riser bar. Lost 1.5 lbs with this change

Brooks seat and new rubber grips
Right now, the total stack from crown race to top cap is 190mm. I am wondering if putting 80mm of spacers is too much?

New cables and housings.

New shifters and brake levers on a riser bar. Lost 1.5 lbs with this change

Brooks seat and new rubber grips
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,548
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1973 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 984 Times
in
679 Posts
Assuming the steerer on the new fork is steel, you can use quite a tall spacer stack safely. For carbon steerers I've seen a recommendation of 25 mm max for a 1" steerer and 40mm to 50mm max for a 1-1/8" steerer. An 1-1/8" steel steerer should be able to exceed this with no problems but I wonder if 80mm will make the steering feel a bit flexy.
#3
Full Member
If you aren't doing steep grade enduro downhill with it, you can raise your handlebar with as many spacers are you'd like.
But seeing the height of that seatpost on that teen-sized 26" bike, you may want to think about getting a whole another bike with the features you want.
But seeing the height of that seatpost on that teen-sized 26" bike, you may want to think about getting a whole another bike with the features you want.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 17,128
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3791 Post(s)
Liked 2,941 Times
in
1,802 Posts
What material is the new fork's steerer made of? If Al there's a greater ability to handle a higher set stem (and thus more spacers) then a carbon steerer usually likes. Some forks will have spacer height limits listed in their specs or stated on a sticker. There's a good chance that longer cables might be needed too. Andy
__________________
AndrewRStewart
AndrewRStewart
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,816
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 903 Post(s)
Liked 1,202 Times
in
692 Posts
I don't think you will have any trouble, though with that much rise had you thought about a steertube risers? I'm fairly tall and have used them on various bikes. I use a Satori version on one peticular bike, but I've had Delta and others. I prefer the Satori clamp design over the Delta.
#7
Not lost wanderer.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Kampong Cham, Cambodia but I have quite a few in Lancaster, PA
Posts: 3,162
Bikes: In USA; 73 Raleigh Super Course dingle speed, 72 Raleigh Gran Sport SS, 72 Geoffry Butler, 81 Centurion Pro-Tour, 74 Gugie Grandier Sportier
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 826 Post(s)
Liked 804 Times
in
433 Posts
The bike is a rather small bike for me but it is a folder and I want it to fold small. The new fork is a steel disc fork and I plan to mullet the bike. I will get a 650b/27.5 disc front wheel and possibly keep the 26 rear. It is going to be my travel bike here in Cambodia.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 17,128
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3791 Post(s)
Liked 2,941 Times
in
1,802 Posts
With a steel steerer the spacer limit is pretty much a non issue. Andy
__________________
AndrewRStewart
AndrewRStewart
#9
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: The Big Tomato
Posts: 21,586
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 300 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24551 Post(s)
Liked 8,278 Times
in
5,792 Posts
Here is one alternative solution :
.
...this turned out a little cheaper than buying all those spacers. I used a piece of PVC (cut to the right length) as a temporary spacer, while preloading the bearing. Once you have the lower clamp tightened and the bearing preload is set, you can remove the PVC and install the stem at whatever height you need it.

...this turned out a little cheaper than buying all those spacers. I used a piece of PVC (cut to the right length) as a temporary spacer, while preloading the bearing. Once you have the lower clamp tightened and the bearing preload is set, you can remove the PVC and install the stem at whatever height you need it.


__________________
Likes For 3alarmer:
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,134
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 844 Post(s)
Liked 812 Times
in
516 Posts
Your primary source for this would be the fork specification. Every fork I've ever bought comes with a spec for maximum spacer height between the top of the headset and the bottom of the stem, and sometimes with a maximum overall length (which would be spacers height + stem height).
My 1" full carbon fiber fork specified a maximum of 40mm between top of headset and stem. I've had two or three new 1 1/8 CF steerer forks and they've been 35 and 40, usually 40. I believe metal steerers have much greater maximum lengths.
If you find that the specification for the fork is inadequate for getting your handlebar high enough, get a stem with a steeper upward angle.
My 1" full carbon fiber fork specified a maximum of 40mm between top of headset and stem. I've had two or three new 1 1/8 CF steerer forks and they've been 35 and 40, usually 40. I believe metal steerers have much greater maximum lengths.
If you find that the specification for the fork is inadequate for getting your handlebar high enough, get a stem with a steeper upward angle.
#11
Full Member