Stem spacer question

[WShire]

Hi everyone.

I have read a couple of other threads asking a similar question but I was wondering if anyone could help?

I have a Ribble R872 which I picked up secondhand 3 years ago or so as a first road bike. I love riding it but have been advised by a friend that is a bike fitter that I would benefit from a shorter stem.

Current one is 100mm and is from Ribbles in house brand ‘Level’. I have ordered a Deda 90mm stem to replace it.

I assumed that it would just be a case of removing the old stem and replacing like for like but have read that there should be a small spacer between the top cap and stem?

There isn’t a spacer on my bike and I imagine this is how it left the factory (see attached photo)

Should it have one there or will I be ok just to swap it over? I’m hoping the Deda stem has the same dimensions!

The bike has a carbon fork.

Thanks very much

 

[Webbo2]

Hi everyone.

I have read a couple of other threads asking a similar question but I was wondering if anyone could help?

I have a Ribble R872 which I picked up secondhand 3 years ago or so as a first road bike. I love riding it but have been advised by a friend that is a bike fitter that I would benefit from a shorter stem.

Current one is 100mm and is from Ribbles in house brand ‘Level’. I have ordered a Deda 90mm stem to replace it.

I assumed that it would just be a case of removing the old stem and replacing like for like but have read that there should be a small spacer between the top cap and stem?

There isn’t a spacer on my bike and I imagine this is how it left the factory (see attached photo)

Should it have one there or will I be ok just to swap it over? I’m hoping the Deda stem has the same dimensions!

The bike has a carbon fork.

Thanks very much

Those 3 rings under your stem are spacers.

 

[WShire]

Thanks for the reply. I meant a small 3 or 5mm spacer between The top of the stem and the top cap

 

[WShire]

As per photo

Thanks

 

[geocycle]

I understand it’s good practice on carbon steerer tubes not to have the stem at the very top to avoid stresses on the tube at a weak point. Having a spacer above it helps prevents this. You could just refit one of the spacers above it but this would lower the bar position. A compromise would be to replace a thick spacer with a couple of thinner ones, fitting one above.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

You may find the height of your new stem (bit that clamps to steerer tube) is different to existing stem. Therefore you may need to change the spacer setup anyway.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

No, there is no need for a spacer between the stem and top cap, just swap the stem over as suggested. Your main issue is (what looks like) 30mm of spacers under your stem. Make sure the bung extends all the way to the length of the spacers. If it does not it can mean the steerer tube is not supported which can cause it to crack if it's carbon.

 

[PaulSB]

Thanks for the reply. I meant a small 3 or 5mm spacer between The top of the stem and the top cap

No, there doesn't need to be a spacer in this position. I currently have two 5mm spacers in this position. The reason is I'm riding a new bike, leaving these spacers here provides the opportunity to raise the bars by 5 or 10mm. Once I'm happy the bike position is correct the spacers will be removed and the steerer tube cut to the length that's right for me. It's simply a precaution, once the steerer tube is cut there's no going back.

 

[WShire]

Thanks everyone.

The 3 spacers underneath the stem are how they are from new.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

how they are from new.

From when you acquired it, not necessarily how it was set up new.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

I thought having the small spacer between the stem and topcap on carbon steerers varies between different brands.

My GT has no small spacer, topcap straight into stem.

 

[WShire]

I’ve looked on the Ribble website just now and it’s the same as mine

 

[WShire]

Stack height of existing stem and new stem is both 40mm so I’m hoping it will just be a case of swapping like for like.

Thanks everyone who replied 👍

 

[Ian H]

If you don't have a spacer above then the stem has to sit proud of the steerer for the top cap and bolt to adjust the headset. As long as the amount is no more than 3-4mm you should be fine (it's more critical with carbon steerers).

 

[WShire]

Thanks Ian. Worst case scenario I’ll have to invest in a spacer. I try and do all of my own maintenance but I’m cautious with carbon as I (rightly or wrongly) have visions of things failing suddenly beneath me in a way that metal would not!