How much steerer tube is enough?

[AndyMc]

Have had the classic annoyance of my steerer coming up a bit short on a new build :roll:

Bought a new frame off here the other week (01 Kula) and was intending to put some RC31s on it that I had in the cellar. Tried to fir the forks and I have 2.5cm of steerer sticking out, which seems a little tight.

Not sure if the steerers are swappable on RC31s (anyone?) but if not may have to hunt for a stem with a low-ish stack height. Anyone know of any? I remember I had a Steve Peat x-lite one years ago on a bike that was nicked which was, but I don't care much for the looks of it tbh.

Thoughts welcome...

 

[Augustus]

Ringle Zookas have about the lowest stack height I've found.

 

[utahdog2003]

Ringle Zookas have about the lowest stack height I've found.

On a budget, there are low stack Tahoma style stems out there too. Check your Cannondale dealer for old spares of CODA branded stems with the removable faceplates.

 

[john]

You can also get some crank bros aheadsets (like these > http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mc/cycle/7/Crank_Brothers/Headsets/) which have a low stack, around 1cm lower than a King.

 

[oldave]

IF it's a steel steerer can easily extend it with a BBB adaptor (seemingly these won't fit into alu steerers - thicker walls).

 

[FluffyChicken]

What headset are you using (and I assume the 2.5cm is with the headset in place?)

FSA do a low stack height stem at 35mm, low compared to the norm 40mm, but that's modern. Retro ones I don't know.

But then that's still not low enough for you.

I looked on bikepro for stack height of stems but for the zooka or the controltech I cannot seem to find it. Wall thickness, screw tpi all that but not the simple stuff.

 

[AndyMc]

You can also get some crank bros aheadsets (like these > http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mc/cycle/7/Crank_Brothers/Headsets/) which have a low stack, around 1cm lower than a King.

I admit I did not think of it that way...

Cheers for your thoughts guys, reckon I can live with it a bit below the top of the stembut if I change the headset it saves me a precious CM. Both stems I have are 4cm (hope and thompson).

Perhaps a Zooka is the answer as theres a nice black/yellow on on the bay which also happens to be same colour as my frame...