[MMcG]

So I visited a local shop on my lunch break today and they carry Jamis, Cannondale, Cervelo, and IF and Seven road bikes..............and I couldn't help but notice the serious amount of headset spacers on the new road bikes.

Some of them must have about 4" of headset spacers to get the bars in position relative to the saddle........what's the deal with that? Is it just a "safety factor" so that the shop can actually do some steerer tube cutting to get the proper fit or something?

Or.......is there some new trend towards shorter head tube lengths among the new hydroformed frames and whatnot?

Just wondering out loud a bit.

 

[ire]

So I visited a local shop on my lunch break today and they carry Jamis, Cannondale, Cervelo, and IF and Seven road bikes..............and I couldn't help but notice the serious amount of headset spacers on the new road bikes.

Some of them must have about 4" of headset spacers to get the bars in position relative to the saddle........what's the deal with that? Is it just a "safety factor" so that the shop can actually do some steerer tube cutting to get the proper fit or something?

Or.......is there some new trend towards shorter head tube lengths among the new hydroformed frames and whatnot?

Just wondering out loud a bit.

Probably a bit of both....the longer steer tube allows for it to be cut to the person, but it seems like headtubes on road bikes are shorter now than they used to be

 

[DirtyMike]

You pretty much nailed it, its so we can fit the bikes easier. Its cheaper and more efective to leave a longer steerer than it is to swap stems to get the proper height. I havent noticed a trend in shorter steerer's myself, in fact with IF I usually see just the opposite specially with there custom work. I do know some of the Manf. are giving a Minimum stack for the spacers between the stem and steerer, such as specialized. Now, what we do, is do a proper fitting, level bike and all on the trainer, let the customer warm up, in there riding gear the works, get everything set right, and we still leavfe the steerer uncut for a bit, just in case they want to raise up from where we put them. We have them return in about three to four weeks of riding, and if they like where its at, then we cut the steerer

 

[MMcG]

Thanks for the scoop DirtyMike!

What shop do you work at - sounds like a good one!

 

[DirtyMike]

Cyclery USA. We have a store at both Redlands CA, and Riverside CA. Linky is in the Signature.

 

[Zutroy]

Yeah pretty much everything Mike said, although i've seen some really crazy spacer setups out there that i can't believe shops let out the door.

 

[DirtyMike]

Yeah I should also have mentioned, most Manf. also have a a maximum stack height between the headset and the stem as well.

 

[proglife]

would someone mind explaining how one determines the proper steerer length/number of spacers?

 

[Wumpus]

would someone mind explaining how one determines the proper steerer length/number of spacers?

There is really no rule. It is what is comfortable to you. I find that I like my bars about level with my seat. Some people like a drop from their saddle to their bars. Opie had a bad back so I think his bars might have been a little above his seat.

 

[ire]

Yeah I should also have mentioned, most Manf. also have a a maximum stack height between the headset and the stem as well.

Some recommend a min. as well