Spacer height between headtube and stem

[gbbird]

Hi all,

just wondering if there is a preferred/optimal space between headtube and stem for mountain bikes, or is it really just down to rider preference? Saying that, having a very long space between steering tube and stem height (i.e loads of spacers) must affect handling/strength of the steering tube, maybe even stem??

Is there any benefit in having the space between headtube and stem as low as possible eg just the headset and no spacers at all, or does it not really matter?

When i built my bike i simply used all the spacers that came with my Cane Creek headset, as i figured it gives me more room for maneouvre in future should i go for a different stem. Which incidentally i am doing, changing my Raceface Diabolus for a Hope XC stem, of which the latter has a 7mm larger stacker height, hence i will be losing one of my spacers.

g

[threesixty]

Lots of spacers would be abad idea but generally it makes no odds and is all down to personal perference.

Running spaces ontop of your stem is no problem either, if you dont want to cut your steerer tube down but you want to lower your bars.

[mk1fan]

Purely down to personal choice. Experiment with different positions and see which one's for you.

[atom111]

mk1fan said:

Purely down to personal choice. Experiment with different positions and see which one's for you.

Bet you say that to all the ladies

[gbbird]

So as a rule of thumb, how much spacer space would you leave on your brand new £400 forks as a contingency for the future before cutting down the steerer tube?

[atom111]

I have about 1/2 inch of spacers on my bikes. I don't there is a rule of thumb if you were keeping a bike for 10 years it doesn't matter, if you change them weekly then you'd need more.

[neil_bolton]

I used to leave 3 5mm spacers on pretty much all bikes I fitted forks to.

This gives the ability for the rider to swap heights pretty easily, but also give them a bit of room to sell on.

I have three spacers on my own bike. I would never cut a fork so low that I didn't have any spacers, as 1. it'd too low 2. Would restrict me should I resell the forks.

[gbbird]

I used 3 x 5mm and x1 2mm spacers on the bike i recently built. Glad i did too, as the hope stem i am about to fit has a slightly higher stack height of 42mm and opposed to my Raceface Diabolus stem of about 37mm

g

[Big Ashy]

As already mentioned above, adjust the stem height to suit your riding style by adding or removing spacers. I considered cutting the steerer tube on my new SID`s but decided against it and have now got a low stem height with spacers above the stem.
Note:- Make sure your top spacer or stem is at least 3-5mm above steerer tube before you tighten headset!!

[snotrag]

As a rule of thumb - enough to make sure the Steerer that is left is at least 200mm long, as this is what people will be looking for if you come to sell. If you are never going to sell them, chop away I guess!

I usually run about 20 to 40mm of spacers depending on stem/headset setup, and I usually run one really thin one on top.