Max Steerer tube length?
 

Hi,

I am wondering if there is a maximum length for the steerer tube above the headset.

My steerer is 200mm total. There is 65 mm above the headset, 50 of which is my stem and 15 is spacers.

Any problem with this setup? Or any problems if I switch to a 45mm stem with 20 mm of spacers?

Opinions are appreciated.

Thanks,

And the fork is what? Jello? There is no way your stem encloses 50mm of steertube.

Fork is a Fox Float RL 140mm. I repeat, my current stem is big, blocky, and measures 50 mm in height...

thinking of moving to a smaller one but don't want to leave too many spacers in there. Head tube size is about 109 mm.

So, what is the steer tube made of?

I am looking at a Profile Design H2O stem that requires 50mm of steerer tube. So guggino88 can quite easily have a stem that is 50mm. There is 1 answer to the question of "Is there such a thing as having a too tall steerer tube?". That answer is yes but you are no where near being too tall. Manufacturers usually have a max. height of spacers used on a steerer tube. Depending on your physical needs and/or riding style -- the steerer tube may or may not exceed the limits. For example a certain carbon fork manufacturer allows up to 25mm of spacers on their 1" steerer tubes but allow 40mm of spacers on their 1 1/8 carbon steerer tubes. A alloy/steel steerer tube should allow even more spacers if necessary.
So -- no problem with your setup. If you change to a stem that is less than 50mm then just make up the difference with spacers.
You do need to make sure that the steerer tube and the top cap are no more than 5mm difference between them. If there is more than 5mm then go to a stem with less height.

Thanks, TLCFORBIKES. I have not ridden the frame yet so I don't have a good feel for the height. Wanted some info before I decided to cut or space.

Thanks again.

I would advise not to cut the steerer tube even if the steerer tube ends up being too long. Leave appropriate spacer on top of the stem so that you or the next owner can have some options on stem and height choice. If you deem that the steerer tube is too long then leave 5mm to 10mm of spacers but no more. Nothing wrong with more but it against the Fashion Patrol's rules.

I agree. I always cut the steerer long enough to require a 10 mm spacer above the stem. That gives you the option of raising the bars a bit if you decide to later.

On an Aluminum steering tube Trek reccomended no more than 40mm of spacers. The stem clamp does not figure in the measurement.

10mm - 15mm if you don't care about aesthetics. This is a good range to accomdate for stem "heights" and differing headset stack heights, if applicable.

1" or 1 1/8 ? Source?

Some manufacturers specifically say to not use spacers above the stem because otherwise there will be a clamping force on part of the steerer tube that is not supported by the plug. Of course, this might just be the manufacturers covering their asses.