Can a long stem be used safely with a short head tube?

Asked by: Don Myers

Is my steerer tube too long?

The steerer tube must not be so long as to protrude from the top of the stem, preventing the headset from being tightened, but also must be long enough to allow for enough clamping contact with the stem.

What length steerer tube do I need?

Your steerer tube needs to be long enough to account for your headtube length, plus the stack height of your headset, plust the height of your stem clamp, plus any spacers you plan on using, minus about 3mm. Putting spacers below the stem is optional. They allow you to raise the stem a little.

Are all bike stems the same diameter?

There are two diameters to get right when choosing a stem: that of the steerer tube and that of your handlebars. Both come in a variety of standards, which we’ll come on to. Also, to add to the confusion, the steerer-tube diameter is normally quoted in inches and the bar diameter in millimetres.

How much is a steerer tube in a stem?

approximately 3mm

The stem or spacers should be slightly above the top of the steerer tube (approximately 3mm). If they are flush with or below the steerer tube, headset adjustment will be impossible.

Should I cut my steerer tube?

This helps prevent a cracked steerer tube since the expander provides internal support. If you don’t cut your steerer ensure you have a long enough expander bolt that extends deep enough in line with the bottom of your stem. Leave .

What is stack height on a stem?

The stack height is the vertical space taken up by the headset. With a conventional threaded fork, the steerer tube is longer than the head tube by some amount.

How do I know if my stems are too long?

What you’re aiming for is a position that ensures you have a slight bend in the elbows to allow your arms to bend easily as the front wheel tracks the road surface. You don’t want your arms locked out straight, that’s a sign of a stem that is too long.

How do I know what size stem to Buy?

When purchasing a stem, you should consider several factors. First you must look at the steerer type (threaded or not). Then you must match it to a steerer tube diameter and a handlebar diameter. Finally, you must decide what length and how much rise or drop you want your stem to give you.

How do you know if your bike is too long?

“If your arms are dead straight, this indicates the reach is too long and you may end up with neck pain as the shoulders and neck take the brunt of road buzz and bumps. “Your shoulder or arm flexion in relation to your torso should also be around 90 degrees.”

Can you replace the steerer tube on a fork?

If you have cut your fork steerer too short, got a new frame or bought a second hand fork we can fit a new steerer tube rather than buy a new CSU or fork.

How do you cut steerer tubes at home?

Quote from video: Place the steerer tube into your tool. Place the mark directly underneath the blade guide. And tighten it up. Then place the tool in the vise. And you're ready to start cutting on SteelSeries.

How do you cut a steerer tube without a guide?

Quote from video: So go to your hardware store by yourself an endless band hose clamp. The right size and then wipe down the forks. Line up the top circumference of the hose clamp with your mark on the fork. Steerer.

How do I measure my steerer tube?

Measure from the fork crown race to where the lower pressed race would enter the head tube. Next, measure the upper stack from where the upper pressed race would enter the head tube to the top of the adjusting race. Add any spacers and add the height of the stem. Add all these numbers together.

How do you measure fork tube length?

Quote from video: So for measurement we want this top of the steerer tube to be about three millimeters below the surface which is right here of our stem.

Are all steerer tubes the same size?

The other key part to consider is the steerer diameter. The standard sizes are 1 inch, 1 1/8 inch, 1.25 inch and 1.5 inch steerers. You may occasionally come across a 1-inch threadless steerer, but you’re more likely to find a threaded steerer in this size. 1 1/8 inch threaded steerers are, however, quite common.

How many spacers does a steerer tube have?

Headset spacers. Dear Lennard, I have seen several references that suggest that 30mm of spacers below the stem is the maximum you should have for a full carbon fork steerer tube.

Do you need a spacer above stem?

You should always leave some length of the steering tube above the stem and put a spacer above the stem so that the entire stem clamp is clamped around a cylinder of constant diameter.

Do you need a spacer between headset and stem?

the headset and stem dont have friction. the spin together. the headset spins in the frame. so there is no difference between spacers under the stem, or none at all.