Sure, you can, but I would just leave it. You can’t accidentally screw it up by leaving it alone and ignoring it.
Available_Theory1217 on
It depends if you are 100% sure, cut it
Active_Ad_5322 on
yes.. if that is the height if the stem that you want, then cut it.
also, treat yourself and get that bar tape changed out…
MattR0se on
Does the expander plug reach all the way beneath the bottom stem screw? If so, there’s not much to worry about.
electrotape on
Assuming the steerer is made from carbon fibre, I think the main concern is that you want the part of the steerer, that the stem clamps to backed by the expander plug to avoid crushing the carbon fibre.
So the question is: how deep does your expander plug reach? If the stem sits below the expander plug I think it’d be reasonable to cut the steerer.
Current_Ad673 on
Nah, just mount a nice big steel spike on there.
Bontus on
Pro riders often ride their training bikes like this. They have to train aggressive race positions but their training bikes are sold second hand after a season or two. The typical amateur can then put the spacers below and enjoy a less aggressive position. So yes it’s fine and gives some flexibility in stem height at the cost of a little bit of aerodynamic loss.
Snoo-43127 on
Looks like you only have 1cm or less above the stem, so no safety hazard as far as I know. Cutting it down would only have an aesthetic benefit, not a functional one. How long have you had the bike? I played around with stem height for a month or two after I got my bike, so I’d want to have that flexibility that the extra steerer tube length gives me.
Sv3nP on
I recently let the bike shop cut mine with no more spacing left, but only because I’ve had a proper bike fit. If you haven’t gotten a bike fit and thus your position is not “definitive” I suggest leaving these spacers on top. (My spacing was like double of what you have on top)
phil_347 on
As some others have mentioned, if your steerer is carbon, you need to make sure the stem clamps over the expander plug, so you don’t damage the carbon. It’s less about looks than security.. most of the time, the maximum thickness of the spacer above is 5mm. You also need to check the combined height of the whole assembly, there’s often a maximum height recommended by the manufacturer.
mtpelletier31 on
Realistically, you are probably fine to ride but if you end up knowing that is the hieght or lower (especially lower) you’ll likely have to cut. Ide personally leave a bit, like a single 5mm spacer but would chop it a bit
I would have said leave it in the past. However I fell of my bike last year and hit my chest on the handlebars and broke my rib on my bike bell. Don’t want anything stuck up now
15 Comments
Sure, you can, but I would just leave it. You can’t accidentally screw it up by leaving it alone and ignoring it.
It depends if you are 100% sure, cut it
yes.. if that is the height if the stem that you want, then cut it.
also, treat yourself and get that bar tape changed out…
Does the expander plug reach all the way beneath the bottom stem screw? If so, there’s not much to worry about.
Assuming the steerer is made from carbon fibre, I think the main concern is that you want the part of the steerer, that the stem clamps to backed by the expander plug to avoid crushing the carbon fibre.
So the question is: how deep does your expander plug reach? If the stem sits below the expander plug I think it’d be reasonable to cut the steerer.
Nah, just mount a nice big steel spike on there.
Pro riders often ride their training bikes like this. They have to train aggressive race positions but their training bikes are sold second hand after a season or two. The typical amateur can then put the spacers below and enjoy a less aggressive position. So yes it’s fine and gives some flexibility in stem height at the cost of a little bit of aerodynamic loss.
Looks like you only have 1cm or less above the stem, so no safety hazard as far as I know. Cutting it down would only have an aesthetic benefit, not a functional one. How long have you had the bike? I played around with stem height for a month or two after I got my bike, so I’d want to have that flexibility that the extra steerer tube length gives me.
I recently let the bike shop cut mine with no more spacing left, but only because I’ve had a proper bike fit. If you haven’t gotten a bike fit and thus your position is not “definitive” I suggest leaving these spacers on top. (My spacing was like double of what you have on top)
As some others have mentioned, if your steerer is carbon, you need to make sure the stem clamps over the expander plug, so you don’t damage the carbon. It’s less about looks than security.. most of the time, the maximum thickness of the spacer above is 5mm. You also need to check the combined height of the whole assembly, there’s often a maximum height recommended by the manufacturer.
Realistically, you are probably fine to ride but if you end up knowing that is the hieght or lower (especially lower) you’ll likely have to cut. Ide personally leave a bit, like a single 5mm spacer but would chop it a bit
I wouldn’t cut it.
That’s where I hook my grocery bag handles!
Yes. Cut it.
Do you use a bike computer? You’ve now got lots of room for something like this: https://i.imgur.com/ZJ3zjII.jpeg
I would have said leave it in the past. However I fell of my bike last year and hit my chest on the handlebars and broke my rib on my bike bell. Don’t want anything stuck up now