Thanks all for the help here.
I have interrogated the top part of the headset (it is a Diatech) and there is 35mm steerer left to play with (it's a 1" with a 1 1/8" shim).
But there is a 5mm thick (vertically) washer with an allen bolt to tighten it onto the steerer below the stem (says Diatech on it) and I can't see the point of that given that the stem has a star nut and a routine aheadset clamping system. This washer has a bevelled lower edge that sits over another washer that then sits on the top headset race and I can't really see what the point of them is: if I could get rid of them I would have another 5mm of steerer height which would take it to 40mm.
I am SURE I am missing the point here but thought I would ask the collected wisdom as I would like to know why I should not be removing this bit: or alternatively if I can(?!)
I have bodged a quick cross-sectional diagram here: the bits I would be interested in knowing the function of or getting rid of are called "Big allen clamp thing (Diatech) and "Bevelled washer thing."
I have interrogated the top part of the headset (it is a Diatech) and there is 35mm steerer left to play with (it's a 1" with a 1 1/8" shim).
But there is a 5mm thick (vertically) washer with an allen bolt to tighten it onto the steerer below the stem (says Diatech on it) and I can't see the point of that given that the stem has a star nut and a routine aheadset clamping system. This washer has a bevelled lower edge that sits over another washer that then sits on the top headset race and I can't really see what the point of them is: if I could get rid of them I would have another 5mm of steerer height which would take it to 40mm.
I am SURE I am missing the point here but thought I would ask the collected wisdom as I would like to know why I should not be removing this bit: or alternatively if I can(?!)
I have bodged a quick cross-sectional diagram here: the bits I would be interested in knowing the function of or getting rid of are called "Big allen clamp thing (Diatech) and "Bevelled washer thing."