I have just bilt up my new racer and it has a 1 1/8 carbon steerer. I have a Dedda Big Log stem that can be flipped for different angles etc... I like the flat angle better than the nose up. So the stem is roughly parrellel to the ground. But in order to have the bars at the correct height I have 5 cm of spacers under it. I've been told by some that 25mm or 40mm is max height for that. So I can flip the stem over lower spacers and get more height but I really like the feel of the flatter setting. Any thoughts on that.

Sounds like you need a riser or extender for the headset which would get
you the elevation you need. Steve

The feel should not change in either configuration with the bar at the same height, only the aesthetic look. Since you need more spacers and a longer steerer to use the stem with the flat angle, it adds useless weight.

I realize that a flat stem looks more race oriented, but that is because racers generally have low bars. Which brings me to my real question, which is, why do you need such a high bar on a race bike? Do you have really stiff hamstrings?

Since you have a carbon steerer, there is no way I would have installed 50mm of spacers under the stem. I see that as a recipe for disaster. 25 mm of spacers is the max I will install on a carbon steerer. And I usually will try to steer a customer away from any fork that has a carbon steerer. I do not trust them. I have seen too many break. If indeed your fork is carbon, but the steerer is alloy or steel, then I might go to 50mm, but would suggest 30 to 40mm as a safer alternative.

You've sceen them break! That sucks. Yea I did'nt really meen the feel of it so much the look. It draws a nice straight line over the front wheel. Purely cosmetic. I guess I just like the bars up high and the break hoods too. I pretty much cannot go anywhere around here without climbing mountains and that seems most comfortable. But really my intension is to start off High and move down as I get used to the bike. So sounds like I will most definatlly flip the stem over and drop it down. With the stem in it's up angle position I only need 1 cm to be set up well so maby I will have 2 cm below so that after 3 or 4 hundred miles I can drop one down and put one on top. Is it ok to have spacers on top of the stem.

Thanks for the advice.

Yes, it is common to have spacers on top of the stem. It just isn't quite as clean looking.

CRUM,

When you have seen these break. Has this been a catastrophic handlebars come off at high speed type of thing? Or do you get some warning?