Would there be anything wrong with getting a longer bolt to preload bearings but still allow for proper placement of the plug in the clamp area of the stem?
I inserted a star nut about a centimeter & a half lower than intended once & the preload bolt wouldn't thread in. A longer bolt took care of the issue & I haven't thought about it since. But now I wonder.
I would think that proper placement of the plug to offset the stem compression would be the primary concern...
That being said, there are an awful lot of carbon seatposts out there with no plug. So in my mind, that calls into question the whole premise.