Crosscurrent S steerer tube too short?

[leighb]

I bought one of these today to install on my new Crosscurrent S XL:

http://www.thule.co.nz/products/active-with-kids/bicycle-child-seats/thule-ridealong-mini/

When I took off top cap I noticed that the steerer tube doesn't reach to the top of the stem, it falls short enough that it's not reaching the higher of the two stem bolts. This seemed a bit strange to me; shouldn't the steerer tube reach almost to the top of the stem so that both stem bolts are utilised fully?

In any case I found that when I removed the two spacer rings and installed the seat mount and reattached the handle bars that the situation is even worse and now the steerer tube only comes halfway up the stem meaning the top stem bolt has even less of a gripping effect.

My question is, have I received a steerer tube that's abnormally short, and if not is there a way to make it longer or will I have to return this seat?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Reid]

Offhand, I do not know how tall is the steerer tube on my CCS, but will look further if you wish.

I did look, however, for a steerer tube extender. There is or was a unit (it is out of stock, the maker says),

https://www.bicyclehero.com/us/reviews/bbb-bike-bicycle-fork-extender-bhp-21-1-1-8.html

Would be 5 stars except for the bolt problem Review by David
Quality

Value

Many of us need to raise the handlebars up and probably many more should. This is the best designed product that I have found to meet that goal on an 1-1/8" threadless stem steer tube. It has a wide range of height adjustment available and is of reasonable quality and weight and installed quickly. The only problem that any potential buyer should be aware of is that the 25mm long bolt supplied for the top cap and headset tension adjustment is too short. I could not make it work in any configuration. Once replaced with a 40mm long bolt, everything was perfect.
With this one design issue addressed, this product would be a world beater.(Posted on 7/29/2014)Great product, not many like it! Review by iceage_mammoth
Quality

Value

Obviously, it saves you a lot of trouble. Very nice built, nothing else compares to it. Good price for the quality(Posted on 7/13/2011)Quality, effective product. Review by Bruce
Quality

Value

We used this to extend a 1 1/8" threadless steerer tube which was just long enough to extend thru the top headset bearing. It's adjustable for length of extension, and once in place with stem and bars you'd never know it was there. Good unit. You might need to read the instructions tho!(Posted on 4/5/2011)

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[Nova Haibike]

When I took off top cap I noticed that the steerer tube doesn't reach to the top of the stem, it falls short enough that it's not reaching the higher of the two stem bolts. This seemed a bit strange to me; shouldn't the steerer tube reach almost to the top of the stem so that both stem bolts are utilised fully?
/QUOTE]

A picture would be helpful, but from your description the steerer tube does sound like it is a bit short. The general rule is that the steerer tube should be roughly 3mm below the top of the stem. This allows for clearance between the top cap and the steerer tube so that the headset bearings can be adjusted properly. Child seat aside, you can replace one of the spacers with a thinner one so that both stem bolts will be engaged with the steerer tube.

 

[Dunbar]

My steerer was a little short as received. Maybe one spacers worth. I just removed one spacer from under the stem to make it more flush with the top of the steerer tube. I don’t think it matters as much with a metal steerer tube. I know with carbon fiber steerers it’s much more important that the inside is properly supported by the expander plug or it can fail. If you search Amazon they do make stem risers/extenders.

 

[leighb]

Yesterday I went to a bike shop and they also suggested an extender, however I ended up going with a rear child seat instead as the extenders they had were so tall. I kind of regret this though as my daughter got upset in the rear seat whereas she was loving the front seat... hopefully she gets used to it.

For now I’ve returned to the default configuration of two spacers but I’ll look into getting a shorter spacer.

Thanks for the help everyone.