I got one of these Bike Stems from the LBS after swapping out my current stem. https://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb...s/comp-setstem

as you can see, it's got a fitting in there that allows you to adjust the angle of the stem by + or - 8 degrees. but the problem is I don't have a spacer for the top part that negates that 8 degree tilt seen at the bottom. I've looked online and can't find an 8 degree spacer.

Where can I find it? Thanks

Try contacting Specialized directly. I believe these stems have been discontinued but they may have some of the eccentric spacer available.

you need the specialized top cap and it will work fine. no spacers above the stem

I have a FSA headset right now. the cap is screwed in differently. If I get the specialized cap, I'll need a new anchor for the fork. I'll just call specialized to see if they have them 8 degree spacers.

Have you actually tried "dry fitting" that stem on your fork's steer tube? Maybe I'm not understanding you, but that stem will use normal steertube spacers. My wife has one on her bike, and it just uses regular spacers. The interface between the stem's steertube clamp and the steer tube is just like any other stem at the bottom - it sits on the spacers at a right angle. I also don't believe it requires a different compression plug for the steer tube. But it does require a special top cap if I'm not mistaken.

yes you need spacers to put the stem on your fork. specializes also has there own top cap.
your stem should look like this
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Specialized-...item3f2697fec8
if you look at the cap you can see the hole is slotted to adjust for different angles. they also sell caps that have a non slotted hole and the bottom is ground on a eccentric to compensate for the angles.

they also sell different angle spacers.
i myself have a 30* spacer in my bike.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Specialized-...item3383407784

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SPECIALIZED-...item5d40d54fa5

if you keep checking ebay they show up often.

let me clarify for those who might not understand what I'm trying to do. Ideally, I want a spacer (not a shim) that's angled like the part that's highlighted in blue in my picture (8 degrees). If possible, I would like to avoid using a specialized cap, because that would require me to cut the steering tube, and replace my fork anchor.

This is before I replaced the stem

get a different stem. putting spacers on top does not work

with specialized stems,as camilo said, the stem shim fits on the fork square. you don't need angled spacers.
the shims allow the stem to be adjusted at different angles without having to buy new stems. you only have to buy new shims, or just flip it upside down, to change the angles.
with specialized top caps the only reason they are shaped differently is to put pressure on the stem and the shim. with there angled shims the stem is larger and standard top and won't put pressure on the stem. without there top cap in RARE instances the stem can loosten from the shim alowing the bars to twist on the fork.

nm

Just repeating what mr2you said because it explains better what I was trying to say.

To expand a little - the inner diameter of the stem's steer tube clamp (and therefore, probably the outer diameter as well) on is larger than a normal stem. This is because the shims fit inside it and the inner diameter of the shims is what contacts the steer tubes, not the stem itself.

All of the angle adjusting that is done by the shims is internal, but the bottom and top of the shims are designed so that it doesn't affect the external interface between the stem and the spacers - that remains square. Therefore the spacers used are normal spacers, no angles there.

This also is the reason - like mr2you explained - why the special top cap is needed. The internal diameter of the stem is larger than a normal stem, and therefore a normal top cap won't work properly. There is material between the steer tube and the inner diameter of the stem (the shims). The top cap is different to accommodate this.

So, summary: spacers aren't special, top cap is. Top cap should have been included with stem. If it wasn't you need to return it or get your money back if it was a second-hand private sale. You can check Ebay for the top cap, but it might be a hassle and surprisingly expensive.