My headset spacer above my stem appears to be failing. It seems like a simple fix with a new headset spacer; however, the spacer is still holding. It also looks like this one on top is a MTB one, not a round one. Any thoughts?
Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7 Stem atop a 2014 Venge, for context.
by teslarati
3 Comments
You shouldn’t really put a round spacer and top cap on that stem. It has nothing to do with mtb. It’s just that your stem is designed for a top cap shape that sits flush with the rest of the stem.
Your top spacer isn’t being supported all the way around by the surface of the stem. So it’s distorting because the pressure on it is uneven.
If you had one that matches the shape of the stem it would be OK.
Once the headset is preloaded, any spacers above the stem and the top cap are no longer necessary, IF the stem bolts are torqued correctly (as well as the expander being set right in a carbon steerer). So, it may not be correct and it definitely looks bad, but it won’t be a big deal.