stem/headset spacers?
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stem/headset spacers?
I replaced my stem today, but it seems the new one doesn't take up as much room on the tube as the old one, so I have about a 1/8 space of exposed metal. I suppose it is mostly a cosmetic thing, and probably helps protect it from the elements in bad weather; but do they sell very small spacers. Right now, the stem is sitting on top of all of the standard (3/8"?) spacers; with about 1/8 inch between the top of the stem and the top cap (don't know the technical term for that thing).
Should I try to find a set of small spacers to fill that area? Or is it not a big deal?
Should I try to find a set of small spacers to fill that area? Or is it not a big deal?
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I replaced my stem today, but it seems the new one doesn't take up as much room on the tube as the old one, so I have about a 1/8 space of exposed metal. I suppose it is mostly a cosmetic thing, and probably helps protect it from the elements in bad weather; but do they sell very small spacers. Right now, the stem is sitting on top of all of the standard (3/8"?) spacers; with about 1/8 inch between the top of the stem and the top cap (don't know the technical term for that thing).
Should I try to find a set of small spacers to fill that area? Or is it not a big deal?
Should I try to find a set of small spacers to fill that area? Or is it not a big deal?
It's a big deal. A loose headset is easily damaged and may have to be replaced. Don't let a $3 part cost you much more than that.
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
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if i'm understanding the situation correctly (and i may not), you've managed to assemble the stem/headset correctly and are left with a gap between the top of the stem and the cap, such that the steerer tube is exposed.
spacers above the stem and the stem cap itself are essentially assembly tools. IME, a stem can be fitted correctly without their use. OTOH, if you are inexperienced installing a stem and adjusting a headset without the use of a stem cap and the proper length of spacer(s), if needed, above the stem, it might be a good idea to double check that the stem/headset is adjusted correctly.
so, as stated, if correctly adjusted, you don't really need anything more. in fact, you don't need the cap either. but stem spacers are readily available online. aluminum or carbon. google "headset spacer".
spacers above the stem and the stem cap itself are essentially assembly tools. IME, a stem can be fitted correctly without their use. OTOH, if you are inexperienced installing a stem and adjusting a headset without the use of a stem cap and the proper length of spacer(s), if needed, above the stem, it might be a good idea to double check that the stem/headset is adjusted correctly.
so, as stated, if correctly adjusted, you don't really need anything more. in fact, you don't need the cap either. but stem spacers are readily available online. aluminum or carbon. google "headset spacer".
Last edited by hueyhoolihan; 02-21-15 at 09:10 AM.
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You are understanding my description correctly, but my other online research over the last hour has led me to believe that cyclo-commute is correct...the design of a thread-less stem set-up is such that the top cap compresses the stem and spacers together to tighten up the whole thing.
So, while it IS possible that I may be able to press the stem down pretty tight, and then tighten it so that the stearing tube is held in place enough to function, it is not really the way it is designed to work, and could lead to failure.
Thanks.
So, while it IS possible that I may be able to press the stem down pretty tight, and then tighten it so that the stearing tube is held in place enough to function, it is not really the way it is designed to work, and could lead to failure.
Thanks.
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You are understanding my description correctly, but my other online research over the last hour has led me to believe that cyclo-commute is correct...the design of a thread-less stem set-up is such that the top cap compresses the stem and spacers together to tighten up the whole thing.
So, while it IS possible that I may be able to press the stem down pretty tight, and then tighten it so that the stearing tube is held in place enough to function, it is not really the way it is designed to work, and could lead to failure.
Thanks.
So, while it IS possible that I may be able to press the stem down pretty tight, and then tighten it so that the stearing tube is held in place enough to function, it is not really the way it is designed to work, and could lead to failure.
Thanks.
#6
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Like the stem where it is , height-wise? add a spacer on top of the stem and the cap goes on top of it.
you press the headset down , into preload adjustment from the top thru the stack of spacers & the loose stem.
but the spacer-stem stack has to be higher than the steerer tube itself. so the cap does not bottom out on the steerer tube before the headset is in proper Preload.
Putting a QBP Problem Solvers' Locking Spacer on first , directly above the upper race. holds the adjustment and the fork wont fall out,
while you move the stack of spacers and stem over it .. Integrated headset was kept together that way..
you press the headset down , into preload adjustment from the top thru the stack of spacers & the loose stem.
but the spacer-stem stack has to be higher than the steerer tube itself. so the cap does not bottom out on the steerer tube before the headset is in proper Preload.
Putting a QBP Problem Solvers' Locking Spacer on first , directly above the upper race. holds the adjustment and the fork wont fall out,
while you move the stack of spacers and stem over it .. Integrated headset was kept together that way..
Last edited by fietsbob; 02-21-15 at 10:35 AM.
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