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Do whatever makes you most comfortable on the bike. After that, do what makes it look the way you want.

If you dont like spacers go for it.....but you may not like the upward angled stem either. Just saying

You will have to pick an evil if you don't want more drop.

Personally I would just keep ir the same because if resale.

Not the same. The bar will be closer to the saddle. In other words your reach will be shorter. You need to determine if that is what you want. For sure don't cut the steerer tube until you know the answer to that question. Do you know there are web sites that do the calculation for you? Just Google "bike stem calcuation".

Well then don't do it. You don't want 25 mm of spacers ABOVE the stem. That is akin to suicide.

Less than a millimeter. For all intents and purposes here the reach will be identical.

Yeah, that's right. I wasn't thinking of moving the stem forward by taking out the spacers. Good catch. Thanks.

Needs clarification: is this 40 of spacers above or below the stem. The above sentence indicates 40mm above stem, and you were going to add another 25mm. Perhaps you mean there is currently 40mm between stem and head tube.

Really? How is an inch long nub above the stem that dangerous?

I wouldn't do it because of the aesthetics, but it's hardly akin to suicide.

A slight bit of hyperbole. My turn to point out what should have been an obvious joke.

Some fork makers actually recommend a few mm of spacer above the stem to protect the open end of the steerer from being crushed by the stem clamp. I know you are aware of that. But I think it is generally agreed you don't want' much more than that sticking up in case of an accident. A "post" like that could do some nasty damage to the body. Sure it is probably a long, long shot, but you never know. Just having some fun with it.

One other thing this will also help with is keeping the clamps of the stem tight. It allows for even displacement of clamp pressure over the length of the clamping surface. Thus avoiding the creeking of the haunted handle bars....
V

Social suicide

If the new and old handlebar positions are essentially the same, my question is: why?

I guess if you are looking for 2mm of height, you will get that. But it seems almost insignificant.

I have been assuming a carbon steerer which I realize may not be the case. But if it is a carbon steerer, don't you want the expander plug to be at the same position as the stem clamps to reinforce the steerer there? Some expanders are made to sit level with the top of the steerer, suggesting that the stem should be too. Others can be raised or lowered inside the steerer, but if you place it too low, you need a very long bolt for the headset preload. All in all I think that tall steerer residuals above the stem are discouraged.

Technically not less stress. The stress is the same. But rather less unsupported stress and lower torque on the intersection point between the top bearings in the headset and the steerer. I think the difference is meaningless. And absolutely not worthwhile if you don't intend to cut the steerer down. You are better off the way you are.