Spending time on the details: caps and spacers

[thirdgenbird]

I love spending time to get the details right. One of those key areas is headset caps and spacers. It’s easy and perfectly acceptable (sensible even) to use what you have laying around. I usually use what I have to initially build up the bike and then finish the build by finding these right details as the finishing touch.

I also find myself contrasting my headset and top cap with the bar and stem color. Unless it is an all black or an all silver build, I find this a good place to break things up a bit. Ideal state, I would be using a black white industries headset in this example, but the king came in the frame and it seems senseless to swap it. Yet...

Anyone else find themselves fussing over these details? Examples?

[uber]

The ability to accessorize is what separates us from the animals.
Rock on.

[thirdgenbird]

Oh, and I know their may be cries to cut the steerer, but a member here may be thankful I didn’t someday.

[AngryScientist]

one thing is for sure - the price of the little details can really start to add up, if you let yourself really get into the weeds. it's all in good fun though.

the moment you decide that black composite jockey wheels are simply unacceptably boring, this is the moment you know you have a problem.

who the hell looks at their jockey wheels.

:banana:

[johnmdesigner]

Spacer logos should be aligned and parallel to the side of the frame.
But nothing, nothing ruins the look of a 15K bike than the s***ty wads of electrical tape used to finish the bar wrap. It amazes me that builders and owners will put so much time and effort into their machines only to wrap tape like they are stopping a leak.

[FlashUNC]

The Wolf Tooth finishing kits help with these kind of details.

[thirdgenbird]

Spacer logos should be aligned and parallel to the side of the frame.

I started that way and moved it exactly centered on the front. I thought it worked well with the faceplate and handlebar logos but I am still undecided.

[choke]

one thing is for sure - the price of the little details can really start to add up, if you let yourself really get into the weeds. it's all in good fun though.

the moment you decide that black composite jockey wheels are simply unacceptably boring, this is the moment you know you have a problem.

who the hell looks at their jockey wheels.

:banana:Well.....

You can't see the top pulley well but it's a mirror image of the bottom set up.

http://cycle.ciocctoo.com/ciocc.jpg

[LouDeeter]

Colors of cable housing, cable end pieces, water bottle cages, bar tape. They all matter to me. Outfits? I've been known to overdo it a bit......

[Dino Suegiù]

I love spending time to get the details right. One of those key areas is headset caps and spacers.

Anyone else find themselves fussing over these details? Examples?
I do as well. It is my favorite part of building actually, and is fun.

One great example of really elegant, painstaking detail and coordination was "Calnago" (RIP) with his Colnago and Trek builds on Weight Weenies. He was a master, down to using custom headset caps, completely tying everything together, and his documentation was always so beautifully done.

[dddd]

I went looking for some aluminum M6 cap bolts and was surprised to find how few sources seem to exist. Ti M6 bolts seem to be much easier to find, but aluminum is lighter and still plenty strong for this job.

I finally resorted to Alibaba, still waiting for a big bag to arrrive, many weeks later. These will be red ano, each saves a bunch of grams versus steel.

On my Marlboro-era Holdsworth Special, I used AeroHead red rims and some tasty red crank hardware from SRP courtesy of VeloNews.

https://live.staticflickr.com/4605/26321238368_5137ecfb9d_b.jpg

[tkbike]

True weight weenies leave the top cap off!

[thirdgenbird]

True weight weenies leave the top cap off!

Does not compute.

https://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1698001117&stc=1&d=1591155461

(Pre-spacer and top cap update)

[dougefresh]

I find it unacceptable to use a bar/ stem/ seatpost from different mfgs (dropper posts on MTBs excluded).

Also, from the OP's photo, it bothers ME that there is a Campy top cap used on a King headset. That's my OCD, YMMV.

[cgolvin]

Outfits? I've been known to overdo it a bit......

Understatement POTW.

[thirdgenbird]

I find it unacceptable to use a bar/ stem/ seatpost from different mfgs (dropper posts on MTBs excluded).

I like when all three can match, but I’ve got a two out of three rule of thumb. This allows for dropper posts or examples like I posted where I’ve got a Thomson stem and post but soma handlebars because Thomson doesn’t offer silver.

Also, from the OP's photo, it bothers ME that there is a Campy top cap used on a King headset. That's my OCD, YMMV.

I don’t think I have ever used the top cap that comes with a headset. Far too many cool offerings. If Campagnolo offered a black sealed bearing headset, I would own it.

[d_douglas]

Does not compute.

https://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1698001117&stc=1&d=1591155461

(Pre-spacer and top cap update)

Such a cool bike! Love it. Dont care about the top cap and spacer, honestly. I use whatever is around - gasp.

[thirdgenbird]

Such a cool bike! Love it.

Thanks! I really dig it. Zero regret.

[Blue Jays]

Fantastic! Excellent attention to the detail on your new bicycle.
It is all the "little things" together that determine the overall look.

[72gmc]

I tend to be satisfied when my spacers match, and grumpy when they don't. At present I have Sim-Works spacers to match my Sim-Works stem, CK top cap to match the headset. I've thought about going deeper into knurled/themed spacers and caps (browsing BlueLug, Mash SF, etc) but I know myself well enough to realize that too much is too much.

[mev]

Haha i'm even fussy about the expansion plug
Although I guess I could have aligned those notches... :bike:

[charliedid]

The Wolf Tooth finishing kits help with these kind of details.

Indeed and the headsets are pretty slick as well.

[Gsinill]

Actually made my own TI spacer since I could not find a 30mm one anywhere to match a Grammo stem.

https://i.postimg.cc/0jXZjhz1/TI-HS.png

[thirdgenbird]

Turning your own takes it to a whole new level.

Now you need the silver Campagnolo version of the cap I posted.

Mine is scratched a bit but I haven’t found a replacement.

[guyintense]

I turned one out of steel to match but I flared the bottom for a smooth transition.

[thirdgenbird]

Thread closed.

[AngryScientist]

guy can we see the rest of that bike please? i like what i see!

[thirdgenbird]

guy can we see the rest of that bike please? i like what i see!

Agreed.

Is that a custom brushed Chris King?

[unterhausen]

I turn my own spacers. I wish it was easier to get them anodized, preferably in a color that clashes with something else on the bike.

[m_sasso]

Not many caps and spacers look cleaner than a great quil stem. I enjoy paint filling flutes and the inner base of cap head bolts with colour matched paint not easily seen unless you look close.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/honda-tech.com-vbulletin/2000x1333/80-img_1926_dda6c3ac95099b60eac1e45f8e40229c874b882e. jpeg

[thirdgenbird]

Unpopular option:
I think I like that 5 arm crank more than the hidden bolt variant. I love the hidden bolt on the c record and ultra torque cranksets but the slim arms and spider work well with the more traditional layout.

[guyintense]

Agreed.

Is that a custom brushed Chris King?

Actually it's brushed almost everything.

[ColonelJLloyd]

The top spacer on the Yeti is great. The whole bike is great. Props on nailing the bar angle. I realize it's personal, but more often than not I see bars with that bend turned up/back to an extent they really weren't meant to be.

The brushed rig is also killer. Nice details all around.

I don't often get creative with spacers or caps. A CC110 with Interlok spacers is nice for me. Last year, though, I put a Ritchey fork that wasn't compatible with the CC on a bike so I replaced it with a Ritchey headset. The graphics were horrible, but they came off with acetone. The top cap was ugly even without the graphics so I ordered a custom one along with a black Ti bolt. I really enjoy looking down to see it and thinking about the four friends that also know the source of the quote. It's always good for a little leg motivation.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50000424317_a18739423e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jbnfak)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2jbnfak) by ColonelJLloyd (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51002114@N03/), on Flickr

[thirdgenbird]

The top spacer on the Yeti is great. The whole bike is great. Props on nailing the bar angle. I realize it's personal, but more often than not I see bars with that bend turned up/back to an extent they really weren't meant to be.

Thanks. I’ve found bars and levers work best as intended. Maybe I got lucky. Here is my other bike.


On the topic of details, this is 10spd, not 8. To make it all match, the deltas wear 10spd pad holders and the c-record arms wear 10spd rings and bolts. I’ve got the LHT crank extractor if they need removed. Oh, I also replaced the hardware in the centaur derailleur with hardware from a record derailleur.

[philhan89]

that Yeti is so fire. Stock fork?

[thirdgenbird]

that Yeti is so fire. Stock fork?

Nope. It’s a steel Soma cross fork. I cut off the fender eyelets (the frame doesn’t have them or I would have left them) filed everything smooth, opened the hole for a recessed brake nut (cable stop) and then had it powder coated and cleared to match.

[merlinmurph]

Man, there's some gorgeous bikes out there.

I actually understand and appreciate the obsessiveness, I just don't get too wrapped up in it myself. I think a lot of us have a certain amount of obsessiveness in some aspect of our lives. My bike is a tool that gets me out on the road and trails and I try to maintain it so that I get back from all my rides. It may have some pedestrian parts or even some mismatched parts (according to some), but it all works well.

I have this headcap on all my bikes.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50001835042_dc0b8f0ab2_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jbutwb)2020-06-13_10-09-56 (https://flic.kr/p/2jbutwb) by Dan Murphy (https://www.flickr.com/photos/140890638@N04/), on Flickr

[Joe]

The Wolf Tooth finishing kits help with these kind of details.

Can logo be chemically removed from Wolf Tooth spacers?

[thirdgenbird]

Can logo be chemically removed from Wolf Tooth spacers?

I haven’t tried, but unlike some brands, the logo doesn’t repeat. There is only a single wolf logo. I bet if you place it forward on spacers below the headset, it would hardly be seen. Their 5mm top cap is also the ideal solution for most setups. The main reason I didn’t do this is because my stem is slammed and I didn’t want to cut the steerer to the point it didn’t have any meaningful adjustments for me or others.

[Dino Suegiù]

Three top cap/spacers/etc details, all still in use on their bicycles.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50002619803_5b8741bcdf_z.jpg


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50003139916_f4f6e49d00_z.jpg


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50002619793_f969473d90_z.jpg

[thirdgenbird]

Colnago, PMP, Deda, and Campag. My kinda build. The green also looks great against the ti.

[Dino Suegiù]

Does not compute.

https://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1698001117&stc=1&d=1591155461

I turned one out of steel to match but I flared the bottom for a smooth transition.

https://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1698001907&stc=1&d=1592011652
Actually it's brushed almost everything.

https://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1698001908&stc=1&d=1592014805



These two bicycles/builds are really good.

[thirdgenbird]

These two bicycles/builds are really good.

Thanks. I am over the moon with how the yeti looks and rides.

[cgolvin]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50002619793_f969473d90_z.jpg

Where did you get the Peg design top cap?

Also, anyone know when Dario started using that design for the head badge? My Duende, circa 2007, has the painted logo of interlocking ‘d’ & ‘p’. I guess I should ask them if they sell head badges separately

[Dino Suegiù]

Where did you get the Peg design top cap?

Also, anyone know when Dario started using that design for the head badge? My Duende, circa 2007, has the painted logo of interlocking ‘d’ & ‘p’. I guess I should ask them if they sell head badges separately

It is a one-off, to match the paint scheme he and I came up with. It is simple, and just takes some time, patience, precision. It can also also easily be done again with a different graphic if one wanted to change some time.

In the end it is very simple, just a bit of time:
Designed graphic in chosen RAL colors printed on thin decal stock to Deda top cap diameter
+
Deda 1 1/8" magnetic flat top cap (https://www.google.com/search?q=deda+magnetic+top+cap&source=lmns&bih=621&biw=1022&rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS900US900&hl=en&ved=2ahUKEwjd3szroYDqAhUMO-wKHVtrCjwQ_AUoAHoECAEQAA)
+
expander plug bolt
+
JB Weld
+
SprayMax 2K

I used JB Weld to very solidly secure the expander plug bolt to the Deda flat top cap, so I would never rely on the magnet. I then painted the cap gloss black. Then screwed the (blank, still) top cap to the proper position into the mounted headset/stem, and marked it very carefully relative to the stem axis orientation. Then I precisely oriented the "Mani" decal on the top cap, mounted it with adhesive, and clear-coated it all with several thin coats of SprayMax 2K. It has held up very very well, the cap is now ~5 years old.

The same process was used on the Colnago Extreme-Power cap.

As far as the head tube graphic change from the old "dp" decal to the "Mani" badge, I do not remember what year the badge was first introduced. Nelson at GITA woul probably know, certainly Pietro at Cicli Pegoretti. I do not know if they sell the badges separately, Pegoretti simply mailed me one at no charge and they might do the same if you ask them.

[choke]

A nod to my ancestry....I still have distant cousins who live near Gent.

Another detail in that pic: the Paul cable hanger comes in a matte finish so I spent a bit of time polishing it so it didn't look out of place.

http://hampco.ciocctoo.com/hh6.JPG

[joosttx]

mountain bike details

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50003751041_9614d6c9eb_z.jpg

[FlashUNC]

If you ask Eric Estlund nicely, he'll add an edelweiss medallion to your custom stem.

https://live.staticflickr.com/5482/9533837638_85f4d202e4_c.jpg

[joosttx]

If you ask Eric Estlund nicely, he'll add an edelweiss medallion to your custom stem.

https://live.staticflickr.com/5482/9533837638_85f4d202e4_c.jpg

I was waiting for this. Soooooo beautiful.

[teleguy57]

Guilty as charged, sir -- I really should be on the bike vs spending time on the bike.

One of these days I'll probably trim the steerer a bit more and take out one of the 5mm carbon spacers. And do a better job lining up the lower spacers. Maybe a drop of glue between them to keep them from shifting when installing...

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50013022968_d31fcf875d_c_d.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50013550061_9d9363f7e5_c_d.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50013813142_0c7eabfc5a_c_d.jpg

Don't have a pic of the gold bolts on the ti bottle cages.

And in the right season this too:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49783090167_29496faf34_c_d.jpg

[guyintense]

Same theme different bike.

[csm]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200617/b81fc43f8224c0dc7634ee5757f32c97.jpg

Yes. I thought the bottle opener on my Fargo was a nice touch.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[tuxbailey]

Shouldn't have opened the thread, now I am thinking getting the wolf bling kit :)

[glepore]

Guilty as charged, sir -- I really should be on the bike vs spending time on the bike.

One of these days I'll probably trim the steerer a bit more and take out one of the 5mm carbon spacers. And do a better job lining up the lower spacers. Maybe a drop of glue between them to keep them from shifting when installing...

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50013022968_d31fcf875d_c_d.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50013550061_9d9363f7e5_c_d.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50013813142_0c7eabfc5a_c_d.jpg

Don't have a pic of the gold bolts on the ti bottle cages.

And in the right season this too:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49783090167_29496faf34_c_d.jpg

I know its a matter of taste, but that kinda looks like a rapper gold chain kind of overstatement. The photos showing a single set of tricolored spacers are how you do that look.

[72gmc]

the Paul cable hanger comes in a matte finish so I spent a bit of time polishing it so it didn't look out of place.[/IMG]

That is one detail I need to attend to.

[teleguy57]

I know its a matter of taste, but that kinda looks like a rapper gold chain kind of overstatement. The photos showing a single set of tricolored spacers are how you do that look.

I can see where these close up pics might create that impression. Here's a pic of the full bike, and I think the details are more highlights than ostentatious bling when taken as a whole. But what we each like is part of the joy of the sport, yes? :hello:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48543678587_62bb7ed7e9_k_d.jpg

And do I contradict myself if I say I've been thinking about a gold chain (not on me, on the bike:))

[m_sasso]

I know its a matter of taste, but that kinda looks like a rapper gold chain kind of overstatement. The photos showing a single set of tricolored spacers are how you do that look.

If I wrote something like this, 5 people would be in my face.

Are we critiquing appearances here? So where is the parade?

[mcteague]

I've posted this shot before. I like things fairly neat and clean.

Tim

https://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1697985959&stc=1&d=1569778918

[572cv]

I love spending time to get the details right. One of those key areas is headset caps and spacers. It’s easy and perfectly acceptable (sensible even) to use what you have laying around. I usually use what I have to initially build up the bike and then finish the build by finding these right details as the finishing touch.

I also find myself contrasting my headset and top cap with the bar and stem color. Unless it is an all black or an all silver build, I find this a good place to break things up a bit. Ideal state, I would be using a black white industries headset in this example, but the king came in the frame and it seems senseless to swap it. Yet...

Anyone else find themselves fussing over these details? Examples?

Tuscan order for the top spacer seems about right. Doric would have been over the top...:)

[72gmc]

Tuscan order for the top spacer seems about right. Doric would have been over the top...:)

Column-ist?

[572cv]

Column-ist?

Yup. Hah.

[ColonelJLloyd]

I've posted this shot before. I like things fairly neat and clean.

Tim

https://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1697985959&stc=1&d=1569778918

Looks nice. Would be improved an order of magnitude if the stem logos were removed, IMO. Easily done with acetone and a Magic Eraser.

[thirdgenbird]

Tuscan order for the top spacer seems about right. Doric would have been over the top...:)

Haha. That’s a take I did not see coming.

[mcteague]

Looks nice. Would be improved an order of magnitude if the stem logos were removed, IMO. Easily done with acetone and a Magic Eraser.

Yeah, I keep thinking about that but am lazy. I removed some fresh road tar blobs last year and a bit of the text came off. That should be an incentive to do it all. Just worried it might look messy if it all fails to come off cleanly.

Tim

[m_sasso]

Yeah, I keep thinking about that but am lazy. I removed some fresh road tar blobs last year and a bit of the text came off. That should be an incentive to do it all. Just worried it might look messy if it all fails to come off cleanly.

Tim

Why stop there or is the "King" logo special?

Personally, I think it looks clean the way it is, and remember back when de-badging cars was a thing.

[thirdgenbird]

Why stop there or is the "King" logo special?

Personally, I think it looks clean the way it is, and remember back when de-badging cars was a thing.

The king logo is tonal and not easy to remove.

It still is a thing. Some of the German car brands are now offering it from the factory here in North America like they had been in other markets.

[gibbo]

Details are great, but how far is to far...???? Is a matching kit crossing the line? I sure hope not.... hahaha

[glepore]

:beer:I can see where these close up pics might create that impression. Here's a pic of the full bike, and I think the details are more highlights than ostentatious bling when taken as a whole. But what we each like is part of the joy of the sport, yes? :hello:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48543678587_62bb7ed7e9_k_d.jpg

And do I contradict myself if I say I've been thinking about a gold chain (not on me, on the bike:))
:beer:

[J.Higgins]

The ability to accessorize is what separates us from the animals.
Rock on.

I like this. Rock on.

[ColonelJLloyd]

Yeah, I keep thinking about that but am lazy. I removed some fresh road tar blobs last year and a bit of the text came off. That should be an incentive to do it all. Just worried it might look messy if it all fails to come off cleanly.

Tim

If you're keen to do it, it will take you under 5 minutes and you won't have to remove the stem or anything. I've removed the logos from three Ritchey stems and a Ritchey headset and all were quick and no residue remains.

[teleguy57]

Tuscan order for the top spacer seems about right. Doric would have been over the top...:)

Column-ist?

Yup. Hah.

Yes, the entablature fits the aesthetic of the bike.... (ok, I looked at Wikipedia on the subject) :eek:

[mcteague]

If you're keen to do it, it will take you under 5 minutes and you won't have to remove the stem or anything. I've removed the logos from three Ritchey stems and a Ritchey headset and all were quick and no residue remains.

Better?

[thirdgenbird]

That looks fantastic.

[ColonelJLloyd]

That looks fantastic.

+1

Boom

Now for black Ti stem bolts. :)

[AJosiahK]

I do like to focus on those aesthetics as well, and color is a big part of that. Stock caps are ew, even the enve ones... I have a pile of them if anyone wants one!

And holy moly that YETI is a delight

[thirdgenbird]

And holy moly that YETI is a delight

Thank you!

[Joe]

Better?

Yes. 622’s are such great looking bikes.

[tuxbailey]

This place is such a bad influence:

https://tuxbailey.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-10/p3917920549-5.jpg
https://tuxbailey.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-10/p3917920864-5.jpg

[teleguy57]

Very fine. Extra points for the bottle cage bolts. And it looks like the gold ano tones match across all the parts; that's something that doesn't always work.

You can get gold cable end caps:cool:

[thirdgenbird]

That gold turned out great.

[tuxbailey]

Very fine. Extra points for the bottle cage bolts. And it looks like the gold ano tones match across all the parts; that's something that doesn't always work.

You can get gold cable end caps:cool:

The hubs forced my hands!

I am really debating whether I should go for the KMC X.11 titanium gold chain when it comes to chain replacement. Good thing the current chain is brand new so I don't have to worry about that now.

I am happy with how the gold turned out. I read that gold works well with black frames and it was indeed.

I too am surprised the gold matched up between CK, Salsa, and WT.