Interesting to see how minimal the expander plug of Cannondale really is. Merida has gone to another extreme - theirs covers good 50mm of the steerer and has such good contact that you actually need to hammer it out. It seems that Cannondale has this design on all bikes and platforms. From Supersix to some cross country hardtails... In your experience, how much shorter do you need to cut the steerer to make the top cap flush? 3mm seems a bit excessive. I do not thing the top cap is that thick (even with preload taken into account).
You’re right about the Cannondale plugs being so minimalist. Not sure why they design them that way. Leaves so little surface area to provide a friction fit to the steerer tube. And like you say, they use pretty much the same plug for all their bikes. I assume your question is regarding the flat top cap style compression plug. The top cap sits in a recessed lip on the stem which is only a depth of 1 mm below the surface. So, you are right that cutting the steerer tube 3 mm below the surface puts it about 2 mm below the top cap contact point.
You can certainly move some spacers above your stem cap / compression plug if the manufacturer permits it. Typically, alloy steerer tubes with stem caps give you much more flexibility. Stacking above your stem is a really good option if you are not 100% certain of your preferred stack height. However, for my setup, there is a stern warning in the Cannondale SI Compression Plug manual that reads, "NEVER INSTALL SPACERS ON TOP OF THE STEM!...locating spacers on top of the handlebar stem can place significant stress on the steerer tube. It could break." One reason I can see why placing spacers above the stem will compromise the integrity of the plug, is that the expansion O-ring will not sit directly in line with the bottom stem bolt, which is a requirement. In that case, tightening the internal expander bolt could damage or even crack the steerer tube as there is less strength in other areas of the steerer tube. There may be other reasons why this is not a good idea that I'm not aware of.
I just picked up a Super Six Evo 2 and need to cut down the steerer tube like yours. Anything to be aware of when cutting a delta shaped steerer tube? Also, is the tube on the SuperSix carbon? Thanks.
Yes, the SuperSix Evo 2's steerer tube is carbon. Cutting a Delta-shaped steerer tube is the same as for cylinder steerers. Like all steerer tubes, the important part is to cut it to the proper length, which for yours is essentially cutting it flush (-1mm/+2mm from top of stem). But don't take my word for it, confirm it with your owner's manual. www.cannondale.com/-/media/files/manual-uploads/cy23/177661-rev-0-cd-om-systembar-rone-0223-a4.ashx
Interesting to see how minimal the expander plug of Cannondale really is. Merida has gone to another extreme - theirs covers good 50mm of the steerer and has such good contact that you actually need to hammer it out. It seems that Cannondale has this design on all bikes and platforms. From Supersix to some cross country hardtails... In your experience, how much shorter do you need to cut the steerer to make the top cap flush? 3mm seems a bit excessive. I do not thing the top cap is that thick (even with preload taken into account).
You’re right about the Cannondale plugs being so minimalist. Not sure why they design them that way. Leaves so little surface area to provide a friction fit to the steerer tube. And like you say, they use pretty much the same plug for all their bikes.
I assume your question is regarding the flat top cap style compression plug. The top cap sits in a recessed lip on the stem which is only a depth of 1 mm below the surface. So, you are right that cutting the steerer tube 3 mm below the surface puts it about 2 mm below the top cap contact point.
Thanks for the video. Why is it a problem to move some of the spacers above the stem and thus avoid the need to shorten the steer tube?
You can certainly move some spacers above your stem cap / compression plug if the manufacturer permits it. Typically, alloy steerer tubes with stem caps give you much more flexibility. Stacking above your stem is a really good option if you are not 100% certain of your preferred stack height.
However, for my setup, there is a stern warning in the Cannondale SI Compression Plug manual that reads, "NEVER INSTALL SPACERS ON TOP OF THE STEM!...locating spacers on top of the handlebar stem can place significant stress on the steerer tube. It could break." One reason I can see why placing spacers above the stem will compromise the integrity of the plug, is that the expansion O-ring will not sit directly in line with the bottom stem bolt, which is a requirement. In that case, tightening the internal expander bolt could damage or even crack the steerer tube as there is less strength in other areas of the steerer tube. There may be other reasons why this is not a good idea that I'm not aware of.
I just picked up a Super Six Evo 2 and need to cut down the steerer tube like yours. Anything to be aware of when cutting a delta shaped steerer tube? Also, is the tube on the SuperSix carbon? Thanks.
Yes, the SuperSix Evo 2's steerer tube is carbon. Cutting a Delta-shaped steerer tube is the same as for cylinder steerers. Like all steerer tubes, the important part is to cut it to the proper length, which for yours is essentially cutting it flush (-1mm/+2mm from top of stem). But don't take my word for it, confirm it with your owner's manual. www.cannondale.com/-/media/files/manual-uploads/cy23/177661-rev-0-cd-om-systembar-rone-0223-a4.ashx