Cavendish's Venge... new headset spacer

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aaric
Posts: 430
Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2011 4:10 pm

by aaric

I'd be real surprised if that setup isn't the most aero for his sprinting position, given my assumption he's been in the specialized wind-tunnel ;)

AGW
Posts: 477
Joined: Sun May 27, 2012 2:11 pm

by AGW

As amusing as it may seem to criticize Cavendish's fit, it does seem like an odd config all of his previous Specialized bikes have been a 52 (or the rough equivalent in other brands). And if the contact points are the same as a result of stem length and top cap height, aero gains are possibly non-existant. Regardless, his winningest streaks were certainly on a slightly larger frame. He's a small guy, no doubt, but he's not a woman.

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Nefarious86
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by Nefarious86

Stiffer frame?
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dunbar42
Posts: 191
Joined: Tue Jan 07, 2014 9:20 am

by dunbar42

KWalker wrote:Specialized mandates the spacer above the stem for fork warranty purposes for the aforementioned clamping issues. I know this because I didn't have one above there and had a steerer tube crack and they wouldn't cover it.


Specialized specifically prohibits you from (permanently) running spacers above the stem in their instructions. I think some people keep doing it on a Specialized because they're ignorant or just don't care.

WARNING! Do not permanently place stem spacers above the stem (Fig. 3). Placing spacers above the stem defeats the purpose of the expander plug’s ability to support the steerer tube and stem.

http://service.specialized.com/collater ... -Guide.pdf

Hastur
Posts: 54
Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:45 am
Location: SWE

by Hastur

Nefarious86 wrote:Stiffer frame?


^one good reason, smaller frame/triangle = Stiffer

MuppetMower
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue May 27, 2014 2:59 pm

by MuppetMower

I just wanted to know where to buy one of those spacer/dustcaps....

dunbar42
Posts: 191
Joined: Tue Jan 07, 2014 9:20 am

by dunbar42

MuppetMower wrote:I just wanted to know where to buy one of those spacer/dustcaps....


Specialized dealer...

climber8
Posts: 102
Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2010 6:10 am

by climber8

dunbar42 wrote:Specialized specifically prohibits you from (permanently) running spacers above the stem in their instructions. I think some people keep doing it on a Specialized because they're ignorant or just don't care.

WARNING! Do not permanently place stem spacers above the stem (Fig. 3). Placing spacers above the stem defeats the purpose of the expander plug’s ability to support the steerer tube and stem.

http://service.specialized.com/collater ... -Guide.pdf

That stem employs a thin shim and a special top cap that is directional based on the shim used such that regular spacers placed atop the stem cause the top cap to no longer sit flush. That specialized stem, thus, requires no spacers atop the stem, permanently.

Some manufacturers do require a spacer atop the stem for warranty purpose. As long as one's expander plug extends to or below the bottom of the stem, all is good.

jeffy
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Joined: Sun Oct 05, 2014 11:51 pm

by jeffy

2015

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tinozee
Posts: 764
Joined: Wed Jun 01, 2011 7:53 am

by tinozee

Haha I saw that image too, and another where he's using the old zipp sprint stem. Who knows, could be a muscle strain or something that will get worked out. I have noticed he tends to adjust that often. I hope he has a good season and bites back at Kittel some.

jeffy
Posts: 1325
Joined: Sun Oct 05, 2014 11:51 pm

by jeffy

tinozee wrote:Who knows, could be a muscle strain or something that will get worked out.


He is probably just getting old. Rumor has it that he considered riding a Roubaix this year :twisted:

tinozee
Posts: 764
Joined: Wed Jun 01, 2011 7:53 am

by tinozee

Weird! Could be a million things with the body though. It's funny how people think that part is static with pro riders. Many of them get upwards of 10 even 20 frames a year and won't hesitate to cut and slam a stem fork for one week and have a new one the next with a 1cm spacer. I also find the reverse with a lot of fitting "experts", always proposing a more upright and short position if "you're not a pro" rather than thoroughly analyzing an individual's body, it's potential to adapt. The human part of the equation is the biggest variable and there are too many assumptions in all of the fitting talk.

nathanong87
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by nathanong87

It's dumb to critique his fit when in actuality all that needs to be said is that the new setup looks* way worse than his old setup.



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Tomstr
Posts: 572
Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2011 5:04 pm

by Tomstr

:mrgreen: :lol: :D
Ride it like you stole it

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grouk
Posts: 232
Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2014 5:29 pm

by grouk

mine

sorry for the bad photo quality

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