I bought a pair of forks understanding the steerer was 200mm long.

In reality its closer to 195mm.

Working with already fine tolerances (I really needed 200mm) the steerer sits maybe 5-6mm beneath the top cap with the top bolt of the stem maybe 3/4 engaged with the steerer.

Is this too greater gap as is?

I don’t really want the expense of a 35mm stack stem especially as I need 80mm reach and the 35mm stack stems tend to be no longer than 60mm 🙁

I would say it’s a tad too short.

Remove the top can from the headset and clean regularly?

Hmmm, Id not be too happy with having that much gap. Where is the top clamp bolt in relation to the top of the steerer?

Syntace Flatforce is only 25mm stack, comes in loads of lengths, its one of them negative stems though, but you could flip it no worries

http://www.syntace.com/index.cfm?pid=3&pk=2629

the megaforce is 36mm stack and comes in a 80mm

http://www.syntace.com/index.cfm?pid=3&pk=2050

oh and I think the on one / planet x / superstar CNC stems are about 35mm and the PX ones are £20 in 80mm length.

Sounds ok to me but does depend on riding you do etc.

Ive found a few of the FSA stems are 35mm stack and in 80mm+ lengths…just checked and my 29er had an FSA OS120 which is 80mm with a 35mm stack height

I don’t really want the expense of a 35mm stack stem

It’ll be cheaper than the dentist bill 😉

I hadn’t budgeted for needing a new stem.

The stems top bolt sits maybe 1/2 in and out. 😕

Too short IMO, all my bikes have a 5mm spacer on top of the stem, just seems sensible to me.

Mine has a similar gap on my main trail bike for the past year and I haven’t died yet.. It does get a lot of hammer too.
Appreciate I’ve just jinxed myself..

Aren’t there low-stack headsets too?

Aren’t there low-stack headsets too?

Some are lower than others, but all will be as much or more than a new stem.

You can remove the headset top cap and just run it with a tiny spacer on top of the split ring/bearing.

I ran a cheap Pace RC31 for a year or more, with the top bolt below the steerer top. Used a bit of cut steerer to pack it up. Didn’t budge. Later added an Amoeba headlock, but you cant run them with some forks.

Too short. Get the planet x cnc stem. 80mm and £20.
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/STPXCNC/planet-x-ultralight-cnc-stem

AlexSimon – Member

Aren’t there low-stack headsets too?

I’m using an external lower (1.5”) and a internal upper 1 1/8” so nothing to play with stack height wise 🙁

Too short. Get the planet x cnc stem. 80mm and £20.
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/STPXCNC/planet-x-ultralight-cnc-stem

Oddly I have an aversion to painted stems but this stem looks like it might resolve the issue if a little more costly:

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/STOOCNC/on-one-ultralight-cnc-stem

Hmm.

The on-one stem you linked is a decent bit of kit for the money.