I've been on a journey with a 2003 GT Palomar. I didn't care for how it rode, fit or shifted, when it was given to me new in 2004. So after a few short rides it was put in shed. When it saw daylight for a ride in 2013, it was hit on the rear wheel by a car. The wheel was bent so badly that I was barely able to limp it home with the V-brakes released. Then it went back in the shed.In 2021, it saw daylight again as I was going to junk it. I didn't think the cost of a wheel straightening, or new wheel and tune up at a bike shop was justified on a 20 year old $230 bicycle. But, it had less than 100 miles on it and seemed to be comparable with some new bikes in the $500 and up range. So I cleaned it up and figured I'd try to fix, service and sell it.I watched videos and fixed the indexed shifting and straightened the wheel. Then gave the old GT a full teardown and service.On a test ride, it was smoother and quieter than anything I'd ever owned and I figured no one would give me what I felt it was worth. It, also had a Chrome Moly frame that I prefer over the ride of the newer aluminum frames. So, I decided to try to make it fit me better instead of selling it.A new seat post and handlebars helped the fit.Then came the upgrades...One of the final upgrades was a Rock Shox Recon 26 Air Solo fork. During the installation, I was a bone head, got distracted, tightened the stem, then tried to preload the headset bearings.Either I put more pressure than I thought I did, before realizing something wasn't right, or the star nut the forks came with had a defect and failed.When I ordered another star nut, I also ordered in this shim kit, so that I could play with my handlebar height before cutting the steering tube.I'd been reading a lot of suggestions on the internet about seat and handlebar height as well as steering tube heights and shimming stems. But wasn't comfortable cutting my new fork down based on what I was reading.I came close to cutting the new steering tube to be the same length as my old fork, as I figured it was supposed to be that way.However.... By getting this kit, I was able to leave my new fork steering tube at full length, while moving my handlebars up and down while test riding them.It's taken a few rides, but I've just about found the correct height for me and couldn't have done it without this kit.The picture shows the bike with the bars in one of the positions I've test rode that is close to where I want my bars. I'm not at the final height yet, but I'm closing in.It's amazing how much a few mm's, up or down, makes in comfort and handling.For what it's worth, none of the internet suggestions would have worked for me. Nor would my original fork height.As of now, it's looking like the end result will have my handlebars a good 20mm higher than the original factory fork steering tube length.The bike is no longer the twitchy nightmare it used to be. It used to be so bad, that I could not take my hands off the bars to wave at other cyclists because the bike would try to throw me if I did. Now, it's comfortable and handles great on pavement and trails. I regularly do 10-30 miles when I take it out and accidentally learned that it rides smoothly even if I have no hands on the bars.The cost of this kit was well worth not cutting my new Recon fork to the wrong length.Fit and finish of the kit seem to be as good as what was stock on my bicycle. Even if it isn't, the ability to dial in the my fit over time makes this set 5 stars for me.One suggestion. Don't be afraid to play with your brake lever, handle bar and shifter positions. For some reason, I always thought those were set in stone when the bike was built and never messed with that on the few bikes I owned in my 55 years.This was the first time I ever moved things around. If you are the same, you will be amazed at how much slightly rolling the bars, shifters and brake levers forward or backward can make.Also, as you are setting your bike up, keep some tools with you as you ride to make adjustments as you go.When you have your fit, you will feel it.Ride Safe.