Although I’ve tried I can’t break the habit. I’m at 20mm
Anyone else?
I have 3 spacers on my Felt. I think I am going to take a step toward recovery from my illness by removing one spacer next year…not sure I am ready for that yet though, I need to ask my therapist first
-bcreager
I’m down to one but I just can’t give that last spacer up.
Robert,
I have two spacers on top of my stem. One is 5 mm and one is 2 mm. I’m keeping them where they are.
Every time I go to the bike shop I look at spacers and lust for one more of them. I’m getting weaker every visit and will probably break down and buy one soon.
My SA (Spacers Anonymous) group does not meet again until next Tuesday. I don’t think I can resist this temptation for that long. What should I do?
I’ve got a drawer full of them. No they’re not for sale since they might be collectables some day.
Dude, that’s like posting pictures of micro-brews on an AA forum 
Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!
mc sac,
Thank you so much. That was like a dose of porn for a sex addict.
.
Many people use spacers to fine tune the fit on the front end of there bike - nothing wrong with that. I think that I have 15mm or 1.5 cm of spacer stack on my road bike. What I think is at issue here is EXCESSIVE spacer use. Most carbon steerers are supposed to only have 2.5cm of spacer stack for safety, but I routinley see bikes with carbon steerers with more than that. If you have a steel steerer, well then, stack away, but then I would have to question, if you are riding the right bike for you? Is that ther best model or brand and dimensions for your needs?
Fleck
Don’t worry about the spacers- they are a simple means to manipulate the length of your head tube, or rather, handlebar height. Say, for example, you buy a bike that has every geometric dimension PERFECT for your body, except the head tube is 2cm short. Should that keep you from buying the bike? No! That’s what spacers are for. This is the case with my Trek Madone- it fits me well, but has a shortish head tube and I have longish legs (longer legs need higher saddles need higher bars). I have 2cm of spacers and don’t worry about it. Now, if you’ve got 4+cm that is probably an issue, but anything under that is fine. I think that if a person has tons of spacers or NO spacers (and wants to get lower), they either need a different sized bike or a custom bike.
One caveat: Suppose I got a custom bike with geometry identical to my Trek, but with a 2cm taller head tube. No more spacers, BUT then I would also have no standover height. I have clearance over the top tube, but not a ton. If I went with a taller head tube, I would need to go with a sloping top tube, to give clearance to my more tender parts. If you need a shorter head tube, then it isn’t an issue- you will just have more seatpost showing (I suppose it would be an issue if you have a really short seatpost).
“SUPPOSE” is the key word here. I was simply making an example. I love my Trek.
Hello Robert,
I too use spacers. Welcome to our group. As you know acknowledging you have a problem is the first step.
Man, I must be in trouble, I am at 80mm
Dave
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I don’t like flipping up my stem, I want it level so I too use spacers. My arms are short, so when I tuck in as low as my body will permit, I still need spacers. I’ve tested and know that it wont make me faster without the spacers cause I am not comfortable.
Its my bike, worked hard to buy it and thats the way I want to ride it. Going low might be good advice based on numbers in the wind tunnel, but if it don’t work for you, then its not a sin. Experiment and see what height is optimal for your body’s limits. Its your personal preference, do what works best for you. Just make sure the spacers’ carbon weave matches your frame.