Answered Spacer or not?

[Rich-EMTB-UK]

Hi,

Just changed the stem on my bike from 50mm/35mm to 35/35mm. New stem is not a high as previous stem and is carbon. I have added an additional 5mm spacer under the stem and an additional 5mm above the stem so that the top cap fits correctly and there is no play in the steer.
Would you have done it that way or just added 10mm under the stem, without the 5mm top spacer the steer was only about 2mm lower than the stem. Instructions for the Stem seem to recommend a spacer on top as well.

 

[Mikerb]

All that matters is that the top of the stem plus spacer stack sits c 3/4mm above the steerer tube. With a carbon stem ( why??) the loading pressure needs to be even so as long as the top cap is a good quality and not just a flimsy concave washer as standard on some bikes, it should make no difference to the security of the installation if there is a spacer a bove the stem or not. 5mm less stack with a 5mm washer above the stem does of course increase the reach and bar height slightly when compared to 10mm spacer under the stem.

 

[Rich-EMTB-UK]

All that matters is that the top of the stem plus spacer stack sits c 3/4mm above the steerer tube. With a carbon stem ( why??) the loading pressure needs to be even so as long as the top cap is a good quality and not just a flimsy concave washer as standard on some bikes, it should make no difference to the security of the installation if there is a spacer a bove the stem or not. 5mm less stack with a 5mm washer above the stem does of course increase the reach and bar height slightly when compared to 10mm spacer under the stem.

Cheers Mike

 

[Mikerb]

Cheers Mike

...that should read DECREASE bar height...at the end there!

 

[Rich-EMTB-UK]

...that should read DECREASE bar height...at the end there!

I guessed that was what you meant