Fitting Bontrager RXL Stem in place of SSR - Help Please

[cosmicbike]

So, I needed a shorter stem than the standard 105mm/7 degree that came on my Trek 1.2, and being somewhat of a bargain hunter went off on the bay and found myself a Bontrager Race X Lite for a bit less than the shops. It arrived today, brand new, very nice. But, it has a little sticker on, stating that iff fitting to a 'carbon steerer' that it must have a 5mm space mounted above it.
Now, I know the bike has a carbon fork, but how do I know if the 'steerer' (I assume this means the tube at the top of the forks) is carbon?
Thanks

 

[martint235]

Not sure, I think most steerers are alloy until you move into really expensive kit. However it's a good idea to have a spacer between the top cap and the stem anyway so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[Dusty Bin]

You should be able to tell by looking at it. Although on a Trek 1.2 the steerer will almost certainly be aluminium.

 

[cosmicbike]

Great, thanks. I'll have a gander when it gets taken apart tomorrow.

 

[solidthegreat]

They usually don't colour alloy steerers in basic carbon fork production as only the lower part is carbon. so if the top tube of the forks looks silver, its alloy, if it is almost black it will be carbon. Chances are unless you have paid mega bucks for the forks or bike it will be alloy. With that You shouldnt need a spacer on top just the headset cap, UNLESS you have had the bike fitted to your own dimensions and the spacers are above the stem rather than below, in which case set up the spacers as they were.

 

[cosmicbike]

Well that went well, even if I did have to stop halfway to go out and buy a 5mm spacer, turns out the RXL steerer clamp is 5mm shorter than the SSR. All sorted now, and it was indeed and alloy tube.