I know the manufacture does not recomend having this many spacers above the stem but can I get away with it for a few rides? Would like to go for a least a few rides before I have the bike shop cut it. Sorry for the upside down picture (thanks iPhones )

Thanks for any input

IMO, not too many for a few rides. even more than a few rides.

The only real hazard is impaling delicate parts in a crash. Otherwise ride it as long as it takes you to dial in your preferred stem height and angle. When you are 100% satisfied that you've found your riding position, trim the steerer to final size which most people consider to be a few MM above the stem.

Having a small spacer above the stem will ensure that the clamping action is not right at the open end of the steerer tube but a little away from it, which should be stronger.

It's not recommended for a carbon steerer. Wouldn't worry about it for a short time. For aluminum or steel, you can leave it that way forever.

yeah when youre absolutely happy with the bar lever go ahead and cut the steerer if need be

one thing about these stem types and spacers if any component is made of steel... they hold water after a wash, rain or whatever

hit it with compressed air after.. to get all the excess water out to prevent rust.

when assembling the steerer, i grease all surfaces to prevent rust too, inside the spacers etc

From the point of view of equipment performance and durability, there is absolutely no reason to limit the amount of spacers above the stem. It is possible the extension could become a hazard to the rider in some situations, but the stem and headset will function perfectly no matter how many spacers are stacked above.

There is a limit to how many spacers are under the stem, though - especially with carbon steerers, which often have a published maximum.

If I understand things properly the reason that a carbon steerer has a max spacer above the stem spec is because most manufacturers want a reinforcing plug inside the area that the stem is clamped around the steerer. Getting a plug to sit down deep in a steerer is harder then locating it at the top.

Do we know what the OP's steerer is made of? Andy.

It does Not Matter .. I have 2 stems stacked on top of each other on my Tour/Trekking Bike.. with a steel steerer .

with a Carbon steerer The leverage of a High on top of the stack of spacers , seems to not be recommended, But People who buy carbon fiber race bikes

really don't Like to sit up much before the Finish Line.


May be a good High Place to Mount your Video Camera on top of it..

Why? The spacers ar above the stem.

Because the carbon steerer is much more likely to compress and crack under the pressure of a tightened stem. So many carbon fork manufactures supply a plug that reinforces the section (the top) that the stem is meant to clamp to. This plug doubles as the system for bearing pre load. Andy.

Is there some reason the plug can't be pushed down to where the stem is located? Too tight?

No real reason, but you'd need a top cap screw long enough to reach, and possibly a long hex key too. Also, I often need to stick in a finger to work a plug back up. My fingers aren't all that long.

As long as there is no lip at the top of the plug.