Yeah, I know the manufacturers specs: 1" visible steerer tube for 1" fork. 1 1/4" for 1 1/4" fork.
However I see a lot of longer steerer tubes out there (most of them ranging from 2-4"). I wonder how manufacturers come up with those values and how much “wiggle room” is considered to be “safe”?
Another 1"?
None at all?
Did anyone ever see a carbon steerer tube break?
Maybe some industry insiders or people who know how those numbers are established can chime in.
I have a Reynolds Ouzo Pro Peleton on my road bike. They specifically state 1" stack max for 1" and 1 1/2" for 1 1/8" for all their carbon steerer forks. Probably best not to argue with them.
If so, quite a few bikes I have seen on the road and even for sale by reputable bike shops or online retailers are “unsafe”. This holds especially true for some Tri-bike setups.
I myself have been running about 1 1/2" for my 1" steerer and seem to be on the conservative side if I look around.