In preparation for my clip on aero bars, I decided to take the massive stack of spacers out from under my stem. The bike came from the shop with a good 20mm+ in spacers on top of a massive headtube bearing cap, topped off with Felt's variable angle stem in the upward orientation with the shim also angled upward for something like 15 degrees of rise. It was like riding on a mountain bike. Within a week I had flipped the stem (but left the spacers) to give a basically flat angle. With the spacers and already elevated headtube geometry, that put the bars level with the seat - still a ridiculously relaxed position. So yesterday (a year later) I decided to move a couple spacers above the stem. The riding position feels great on the trainer, I'll find out tonight whether it feels good on the road. The question is, if I like it, do I cut the steer tube or leave the spacers above the stem? In my opinion, I think it looks horrible, but not everyone thinks so. In fact, after a lot of googling I see that most manufacturers require or at least recommend at least a 5mm spacer above the stem on their carbon steer tubes.
So... to cut or not to cut?
So... to cut or not to cut?