Stem height and cutting steering tube?

[The Five Eight Five]

I recently purchased a Surly Pacer steel road bike from a private seller and the stem is too high– currently sitting on 5 cm of spacers (image attached). Not to mention it looks pretty goofy in my opinion. How much would an LBS in the NoVA area charge to cut the steering tube and lower the stem? Also, would they know how to properly fit me to the stem height based on my height and reach?

The previous owner was a bit taller than me and the frame was too small for him, so I believe this is how they compensated. The frame is the right size for me and I doubt much adjustment is needed for the stem; if any. However, I’m still pretty new to road biking, so I’m unfamiliar with how the proper fit feels. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Topic

[anomad]

Handlebar height is a matter of personal preference. But a ton of spacers isn’t the way to go for me. I would suggest putting the spacers on top of the stem to find what feels right for you and then cut the steering tube. All you need is a couple hex head wrenches. You can ride that way just fine, but it will look funny with it sticking up.

I don’t know what a shop would charge. But, cutting down your steering tube is a simple job you can do yourself with a pipe cutter or hacksaw, which you may already own. A file, sandpaper or steel wool will clean up the cut area. And a little paint to keep it from rusting. There are a bazillion YouTube videos on it. A Surly fork will be heavy steel and more forgiving to give it a try than a carbon fiber tube. I did my most recent one on the porch with a battery powered reciprocating saw.

[MFC]

@The Five Eight Five 165519 wrote:

I recently purchased a Surly Pacer steel road bike from a private seller and the stem is too high– currently sitting on 5 cm of spacers (image attached). Not to mention it looks pretty goofy in my opinion. How much would an LBS in the NoVA area charge to cut the steering tube and lower the stem? Also, would they know how to properly fit me to the stem height based on my height and reach?

The previous owner was a bit taller than me and the frame was too small for him, so I believe this is how they compensated. The frame is the right size for me and I doubt much adjustment is needed for the stem; if any. However, I’m still pretty new to road biking, so I’m unfamiliar with how the proper fit feels. Thanks in advance for any advice!

You can also go someplace like Velocity to cut it and make a small donation. I agree with anomad you should lower the stem and put a few of the spacers above it to see how you like the position because once you cut the steerer tube, you are stuck with the results.

[dkel]

According to the Bikenetic website, they charge $10 to cut a steerer. I’ve paid them to do this job for me more than once, and they are awesome. I’ve also done the job myself, and though it’s not a hard job, I didn’t make it look as easy as they did! Anyone could do the job themselves, really, but $10 is a no-brainer if you’re at all squeamish about doing it yourself.

As a point of order, having a spacer above the steerer isn’t that weird, and gives you leeway to change up the stack height should your riding preferences change (or—heaven forbid—you get injured and need to sit up a bit more till you recover).

[peterw_diy]

+1 on anomad’s suggestion. Don’t cut until you’ve road tested thoroughly and are certain of the size. Also I’d plan on a 5mm spacer above the stem so you have more flexibility if you ever replace the headset and want to use one with a taller stack height.

A shop (or coop) will have a tool to guide the hacksaw and keep the cut perpendicular to the tube. I wouldn’t risk freehanding the cut, you have too many inexpensive options around here for doing it right.

Personally I run an unfashionable 25mm of spacers above my negative rise stem, so I could easily raise my bars up as much as 40mm or so just by flipping the stem and moving the spacers. Function beats form in my book.

I hope you love the bike.

[The Five Eight Five]

Thanks guys, great suggestions! For now I’m going to put some of the spacers on top of the stem and try out various heights. Bikenetic sounds like the place to go for the steering tube cut–I’ll definitely be bringing it there. Would their shop employees also be able to give stem height recommendations based on my reach and height? I’m not sure I’m experienced enough to know what “feels” best. :confused: Never bought a new bike from a shop, but I’m assuming the employees have a general idea of where to set the stem for a new rider, right?

Besides that, I love the bike and had a blast taking it 20+ miles on the MVT already. Cheers!

[dkel]

@The Five Eight Five 165555 wrote:

Bikenetic sounds like the place to go for the steering tube cut–I’ll definitely be bringing it there. Would their shop employees also be able to give stem height recommendations based on my reach and height? I’m not sure I’m experienced enough to know what “feels” best. :confused: Never bought a new bike from a shop, but I’m assuming the employees have a general idea of where to set the stem for a new rider, right?

I’m a big fan of Bikenetic, and I go there all of the time, but I only mentioned them as an example, and because I had them cut my steerer (and, frankly, because I knew I could look up their price on the internet at the time I responded to your post). I don’t think they’re the only place that can do that job for you with skill and expertise. That said, Bikenetic can certainly give advice on bike fit, though they don’t have a certified bike fit specialist on staff, as far as I know.

[anomad]

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=gcn+bike+fit

[Author]

Replies