Old 03-19-23, 01:44 PM
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Kontact
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Specialized had some headtube failures on the Tarmac a couple years ago, and went to longer compression plugs. But I suspect that was a hedge against damaged steerers that slipped through the recall. The recall came from a poorly shaped internal stem part that damaged the steerer.

Trek, years ago, had some aluminum steerers break off. They went to mandating a 5mm spacer above the stem.

Stems can and do damage carbon or aluminum steerers when overtightened. It's why stems now have torque limits and carbon paste, and why wedge type stems have gone away. But stems don't cinch down like hoseclamps, crushing the steerer all around. They pinch the steerer at the gap where the bolts are, digging into the carbon at the spot.


As Enve still sells the same old short top cap, I don't think the industry has shifted to 90mm plugs. But given the ham fisted things bike owners sometimes do, I wouldn't be shocked if they did go to crush resistant plugs.
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