For anyone who's interested, here's what I ended up with.

I took it down to the headset top-cover and I just didn't like it.
So, it's 2.5mm from being slammed, but it's perfect for me.
It's a 6 degree rise which takes away some of that aggressive
stance that the Bonty gave me and 120mm as opposed to the
110mm of the Bonty, but with the less radical drop (flipped),
it's surprisingly comfortable.

I'll put some miles on it soon, but if it's not as stiff as the Bonty was, I'll go
back to the Bonty and paint those hideous white graphics to murder it out a bit.
FYI, I used the Bonty black bolts instead of the Edge's silver bolts.

Original height w/ spacers:



1st cut:



2nd cut w/Bonty stem:



Final set-up:

_________________
Project CAAD9 7.2kg
The CAAD Build Thread

Hi guys, I am trying to lower this stem that you see below. Last year I was on a Thomson which is -10 degrees, this year I am on a FSA which is -6 degrees. I have been to several good shops and they have no ideas. I saw this online but I don't know if it would be what I am looking for. http://www.veloflyte.com/carbon_fiber_i ... ust_shield
Is that what I need or do you have any other ideas?
Thanks guys.

I've got a similar FSA headset dustcap to you and its only 6-7mm in height. At most, with a shorter dustcap, you'll only lower it by a maximum of 2-3mm which is barely noticeable. The dustcap with the lowest stack height I know of would be the Campagnolo CF one (which is 5mm tall). Best bet would be to get a new stem with a steeper angle if you want to get lower.

Thanks. Thing is I am required to ride this stem. I'll look in the dust cap but if anyone else has other ideas I would love to hear them.

ive made a cover that's less than 1mm tall. ive had someone make a <1mm tall nice carbon top cover. if this is the Matt Cooke that i think it is, hit me up and ill get you one.

Greg

edit: the use of the cover is beneficial in bad weather, but you dont technically even need the thing. it's a spacer like any other headset spacer, except that it happens to cover the bearing.

And it's pros riding like this as well. I've got a photo at home of some big pro race on the continent and they're all on the drops with elbows practically locked, and they're not looking too aero either. One of the best low positions I've ever seen has been of Roger de Vlaeminck, was his stem slammed? No. Was his position aero? Yes. Did he win lots of races? Yes.

Ive ridden a couple of bikes without any top cap at all. Just put a silver flat washer (comes with most headsets) and a BB30 bearing shield upside down and youre done. Headset bearings are sealed so worst case is a new bearing before selling the frame. Ive even spent some time on a bike without any bearing shield. Stem was on top of the bearing. Worked fine.
Do whatever it takes to make a bike fit.
Ive always felt better with long and low position. I like the hoods to be low and the drops slightly lower (shallow drop). Seems to be the best overall set-up for me. I dont rock the drops too much but I certainly can.
Also, doesnt FSA make a -17 stem?

_________________
The word "Brifter" should be banned.
Casati Vola SLi- viewtopic.php?f=10&t=108931" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Word.



Greg, you are the man.

_________________
Project CAAD9 7.2kg
The CAAD Build Thread

Is this the slammed stem/aero position others are concerned about, with regards to power output?

_________________
CAAD9 - 6.32kg

huge pic.

http://i.minus.com/i0NF23fnLCQ28.jpg

since that picture, i radically moved forward and up, and im still comfortable in the drops for an hour plus. too high?

_________________
α

For the guy with the FSA stem:

Just get a -17 deg FSA stem and run 5mm of spacers. That will put you back to where you were with the Thomson -10 deg.... or very close to it.

adriano, that's a nice bike. Why did you put front disk on the right?

i sipped this koolaid: http://www.cotic.co.uk/geek/#ROADHOG_discmount

_________________
α

Ok, it sounds quite reasonable.

Slammed.......


Untitled by btompkins0112, on Flickr

_________________
2012 Fuji Altamira SE - 6.42kg

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=111416" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;