Bike Forums - When do I start pulling spacers from my handlebar/stem stack?

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- - When do I start pulling spacers from my handlebar/stem stack? (https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/1058052-when-do-i-start-pulling-spacers-my-handlebar-stem-stack.html)

I'm not familiar with CDale synapse headset. Is this an IS type headset?

Keep in mind that if you ever plan on selling the bike the next guy might not want the short stem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtaylor996 (Post 18684872)

No. You have to cut the steerer tube to remove the spacers properly. For a short time it's ok to leave them on top, but not long term. The stem clamp would then be unsupported.

So for this reason alone, leave the damn spacers where they are until your fitter tells you otherwise. Measure (with a fitter) twice, cut once.

I believe the only reason to remove spacers from above the bars is to avoid (in the case of some sort of freak crash) your breast bone cracking into this dull spear. By cutting the stem and having minimal stuff above the bar, in the case of such an incident the width of your entire chest would be more able to absorb the blow against the handle bar.

...the idea is like laying on a bed of nails, rather than just one nail.
One nail would pierce you, but on a bed of nails your weight would be distributed in a way that you wouldn't get pierced at all.

...at least that's the way I see it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stratocaster (Post 18686735)

...at least that's the way I see it.

That's not what we've been saying. We are repeating what the designers of that particular stem and headset system proscribe. The stem clamp will be unsupported if you leave the spacers above the stem (since the cap can't get down far enough and expand to support the tube from inside). This could lead to the steerer tube cracking. This has zero to do with accident protection for the rider (other than maybe preventing an accident where your steerer snaps off)..

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheelreason (Post 18684818)

Your handlebar is either in the position where it fits properly and is comfortable, or it's not. There is no sand flowing down the hourglass (or flying monkeys)...

Bike felt way better and even slightly faster with the stem flipped. Will rip out the spacers soon enough, really I think I'd be better suited on a more aggressively positioned bike to begin with. N+1 right?