How many spacers?

[keith]

Hey guys I've been looking at pros bike on the web and many of them have no space between the headset and stem. I have about 4cm of space and a couple of spacers. Is it a personal preference thing? I got a pic to show what I mean:

 

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2009/tech/probikes/ivan_basso_cannondale09/DSC00458.jpg

[AndreZA]

all to do with ride comfort.

 

 

[SwissVan]

 

The pro's ride with their handle bars as low as possible to decrease wind resistance, you need to be pretty flexible to maintain that position for long periods.

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[Mielies]

Hey Keith, what do you ride these days?

[keith]

Hi Mielies I'm riding a Planet X!

[Mielies]

Are you happy with that frame? Sometimes I consider getting the black one, when they evetually arrive. Are you racing in Richardsbay on Sunday? You are also elite right?

[Thomo]

I've heard a story that some pro frames are specced with headtubes for specific riders thereby eliminating the need for spacers.

[slowtwitch]

It's all to do with saddle to handlebar drop. Depending on your frame geometry you'll add/ remove spacers.

 

I know it looks cool and all, but I've also seen Lance and Conti's bars - with a good stack of spacers.

 

Unless your name is Boonen, I doubt you will have a special frame mould just to suit each pro rider's specific saddle/handlebar drop.

 

14cm is about as far as they drop - so if your frame is already small and it is low in front, you probably gonna end with some spacers under the stem

 

You'll also see in the pic Basso's Cannon that the headset is almost flush with the top tube - low profile bearing cup as well not just no spacers

[Jules]

That 'Dale also has quite a long head tube. I'd guess between 18cm and 20cm.