Expander bung and experimenting with handlebar height

[jimsmith]

I’m building up a track bike. I’m new to the track, and (at the age of 66) rather inflexible, so I want to experiment with handlebar height before I cut the steerer tube. This experimentation will involve clamping the stem on parts of the steerer tube that are not supported by the steerer tube expander bung. Is this safe, assuming that I don’t exceed the recommended torque of 5 Nm? As soon as I get the position right and the steerer tube cut I’ll set it up correctly, with stem and bung aligned.

in case it makes a difference, it’s a Condor Lavoro frame set.

Many thanks in advance. You can tell that I don’t have much experience in bike mechanics!

[James Malone]

I'm not a trained mechanic but I'd say you'll "probably" be ok as long as you don't over tighten and don't run it like this for too long. Might be worth a call to Condor to ask their opinion.

However is it not safer to start with stem at highest and then work you way down until you find an acceptable height, cutting the steerer as you go?

[jimsmith]

That's a good idea. I'll do it.

[Steve Pearson]

Just to be clear, you are going to use spacers between the headset & the stem?

Also checking which way up you are fitting the stem, as that will make a difference, as will stem length..