FSA Orbit C-40 tapered jobby for my FTM carbon.
Looking at the following diagram I can't really see what purpose the top cap spacer (part 2) provides.
I need to reduce the stack height dramatically.
What diagram?
In general, the top cap is for adjustment - the stem holds it all together.
I think he means the conical top spacer but difficult to tell without a PICTURE.
Usually the tapered top caps replace a non-tapered top cap so are integral to the headset. You can bodge it, but you still end up with miles less sealing etc. But can't say for this particular model, it's always possible the tapered spacer is as well as the standard topcap.
Terrible ideas tbh.
I took a conical top-spacer out of a FSA headset (replaced it with a flatter one that I had hanging around as you need something to hold down the tapered washer/spacer thingy) and worked fine. I reckon it only gave me 10-15mm max
Is this following a measure [s]twice[/s] once cut once scenario?
Doh... I forgot to link to the diagram.
10mm is all I need to save. The frame is a FTM Carbon in size large which has a very long headtube.