Head tube extenders vs spacers. Pros/cons.

[XXtwindad]

I’m considering getting a head tube extender on one of my bikes. Don’t like the look of too many spacers. Conversely, I’m not a fan of the “Extreme Peg” look either. Maybe 15mm of head tube extension? I don’t know how the process works.

I know TiCycles has a great reputation. Ahearne has an interesting lugged one. That looks very appealing, although you’d probably want a lug for the bottom part of the head tube as well, I’m guessing.

Anyone done something/contemplated something similar?

[wallymann]

creative paint of the extension and lugs helps mask the visual length so they dont looks so pegoretti-ish.

[prototoast]

Sam Cassell (cross-referencing the bikes as 90s NBA players thread).

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by prototoast

Sam Cassell (cross-referencing the bikes as 90s NBA players thread).

Good one

[wgp]

I chose an extender for my Moots … wish Moots made a Ti one themselves (bead blasted to match) but chose to go with this one vs spacers.

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by wgp

I chose an extender for my Moots … wish Moots made a Ti one themselves (bead blasted to match) but chose to go with this one vs spacers.

That looks pretty damn good. Would you mind posting a complete picture of the bike? Do you know what size the spacer is?

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by wallymann

creative paint of the extension and lugs helps mask the visual length so they dont looks so pegoretti-ish.

My bike is stainless. The painted extenders looks really incognito, though.

[duff_duffy]

Gotta say I don’t like either, but I need them and I like spacers better. Look better IMO and also bit easier to sell down road from my limited experience. Functionally can change size spacers to fine tune setup but easier as well to some extent.

[robt57]

My 1st Strong Foco road frame built in 2000 when I was younger had low low stack. #1 until 2013. I decided to make a SS of it 2015-6 and needed way more stack. (155mm HT on a 588 TT frame). Stack prob 170-5 guessing.

I used an Origin 8 Alloy HT addition with the existing HCS3 fork. 2 seasons later an inspection showed the bottom of it had notched the steerer. Maybe a Ti one will be thinner and have a smaller ID.

But that bottom ID edge, apparently the steer tube flexes enough to have that occur. I did have to do a lot yanking and banking to get it moving from stop, like a sprint frequently until the 80 GI got up to speed.

So the bike got a steel lugged crown fork, I figured the notching which was not too terrible was not going to improve. Steel steerer does not flex enough to touch.

YMMV

[tv_vt]

Split the difference between the extension and spacers if you're unsure.
Personally extensions work for me and my build. I've got a Merckx Corsa 01 Freuler with an extension, along with Pegoretti Responsorium with extension. Have had Serotta Fiertes with extensions, too. They make sense to me.
Years ago I put a Ti Cycles extension on a Merckx ti frame with a 1" fork.
One thing to keep in mind with the pressfit extensions added after frame is built is that they're pretty tricky to get out once they're installed. Was told that if I tried to pull the headset out of the frame, the top half of the headset would just come off with the extension, instead of being pulled out of the extension, with that staying in the headtube. Hope that makes sense.

[mhespenheide]

And you don't like the look of a "tall-stack" stem, either?

I can see a head tube extender if you can get it to match the appearance of the frame. Or maybe if the extender is black and you have a black headset.

[prototoast]

Specialized Hover Bars are my preferred choice for adding stack without messing up the aesthetics of the bike too much.

[Ken Robb]

I replaced a stack of spacers on a 1" Ouzo Comp fork (aluminum steerer) with a spacer I made from aluminum tubing that matched my cockpit and ti Litespeed fine. It looked ALMOST like a HT extension and I felt safe without tightening the cap as much as I felt required by a stack of spacers.

[LadyDog]

+1 on hover bars if can get enough height with them.

[ERK55]

Originally Posted by LadyDog

+1 on hover bars if can get enough height with them.

Hover bars will give you 15mm of rise.
Controltech also make a riser bar with 20mm of rise.