Hi guys! Anybody know if it is safe to use no spacers above the headset of cannondale supersix evo se? Opinion would be awesome!
by SlowWerewolf1342
Hi guys! Anybody know if it is safe to use no spacers above the headset of cannondale supersix evo se? Opinion would be awesome!
by SlowWerewolf1342
9 Comments
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Usually, as long as the top bolt of the stem is actually clamping steerer tube, you’re good to go. You need enough space for the top cap to actually compress everything properly. I’m sure there’s something in a manual that states the actual length needed.
You need as many spacers, as the remaining steerer tube is long, in order for the top cap to compress against the spacers. Otherwise the top cap would just bolt against the steerer tube itself which is not the purpose of it (pre-loading the headset bearings)
Cannondale specially says there should be NO SPACERS above the stem on their bikes. This is found on page 111 of the manual. It was on a different page on a previous version, so they’ve been at it for a while. https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/owners-manuals/road
same amount below as on top is what i shoot for.
Go to a bike shop and they’ll cut it for you.
The only reason to have spacers above the stem after you’ve cut the stem to the proper length is in order to be able to shift spacers above and below the stem if you subsequently want to change the height of the stem. Until you’ve determined the precise height you want the final cut, it’s fine to have extra spacers above the stem *as long as* the steerer is still internally supported by the compression plug (imho) to the bottom of the stem. In other words, if you want to ride for a time with extra spacers, you should probably get a longer compression plug. There’s really no such thing as a compression plug that’s too long, so you can keep the longer one in there after you no longer need the extra plug length.
DO NOT RIDE THE BIKE!
The stem need to be clamped on the steerer tube where it’s supported by the compression plug or you risk catastrophic failure.
Because the nitwits that downvoted me reply are idiots 😉