Hi All,
I recently picked up a 2014 Trek Domane for my GF and while adjusting it for her, I moved the handlebars as low as possible, for her comfort. Is it kosher that there is no spacer between the bars and where it connects to the bike? I'll try to attach a picture.
Thanks for your help.
by George_ThunderWeiner
8 Comments
This is fine, no need to worry 🙌
It’s fine – just ugly.
You could flip the stem and have the spacers under it – that would probably look slightly better.
Or, leave it like that and trim the steerer.
No it’s not fine, you should not have more than 5 mm from the top for safety concerns.
Edit: I may have gotten this information wrong.
Why would you lower the bar for more comfort? Why would you flip the stem but have all spacers on top?
Assuming the steerer tube isn’t carbon, this is mechanically fine, if not ugly (look at it) and potentially dangerous in the event of a crash.
That said, I don’t understand why you’d drop the stem, but then flip it so that it’s pointing upwards. You could accomplish nearly this same position by putting the spacers below the stem and flipping the stem into its normal orientation.
Also, you said this is for comfort? Rarely is a lower stack height considered more comfortable.
I think you might want to put the tools down…
I don’t really know trek, but are you working with a full carbon fork? In my opinion, it isn’t best to have significant space on full carbon, you should probably cut the fork, if it’s aluminum at the top it’s fine – but why not get more of a straight/short stem? Or flip this one?
Is the steerer carbon or aluminum? If it’s carbon, you want to make sure the expander plug is supporting the inside at the location where the stem clamps on. This may require flipping the stem or cutting the steerer.
That’s a -/+25 stem, having all the spacers underneath and the stem angled downward, would give you a lower handlebar than you have now. Would give a bit more reach however.Â