[Greg Smalter]

I acquired a Thomson Elite X2 stem to try out ( http://www.lhthomson.com/elite_x2.htm ), and while it's obvious now, I didn't realize this would happen just by looking at its picture. My ugly, unfinished aluminum steerer tube shows right through the voids in the side of the tube clamp on the stem. I guess they were assuming I'd have a pretty carbon steerer. Anyway, any good solutions to this? Electrical tape, magic marker?

Thanks.

 

[Dave Hickey]

Add some splash and paint the top of the steerer the same color as the frame....I've done it....

 

[seemana]

Add some splash and paint the top of the steerer the same color as the frame....I've done it....

Yup...I've done the same. Or go stealth and paint it the same color as the stem.

 

[Mike Prince]

Polish the aluminum steerer

 

[FBinNY]

Find some stickers or decals with an interesting logo of the right size and shape and stick them on the steerer to show through the windows. Eons ago we used to put banana stickers on our stems, maybe you could start a similar tradition.

 

[Dinosaur]

Yep

Polish the aluminum steerer

That's what I did. But seriously, I've never had anyone comment on my stems, one way or the other...

 

[psycleridr]

Have you tried riding it instead of looking at it?

 

[Greg Smalter]

Have you tried riding it instead of looking at it?

Yeah, and I'm actually quite pleased. But, I failed to mention that someone wrote the number "8" with a sharpie on one of the sides of the steerer tube - not sure why. Anyway, it's overtly ugly.

 

[Greg Smalter]

Add some splash and paint the top of the steerer the same color as the frame....I've done it....

Any recommendations on the type of paint? I imagine it will be some sort of brush-on paint from a hobby store.

 

[rogger]

I spray painted the steerer tube matte black, doesn't look too bad with the anodized stem.

 

[ROAD&DIRT]

MY 3T stem is the same way...I used a black magic marker. You can't even notice it now

 

[laffeaux]

Polish the aluminum steerer

The above sounds like the best advice. A piece of scotch-brite would make it look nice in a few seconds.