Bicycle Mechanics - TTT stem

I just bought a new Lemond Buenos Aires this past weekend, which I'm very happy with so far (after 50 miles), but I have a naive question about the stem, a TTT The. On my bike, the stem is angled considerably up, while in pictures on the Lemond web site it is pretty much parallel to the ground. Can the stem be flipped, does the bike pictured on the website have a different stem, or are they simply available with different angles? Thanks

Stems do have different angles.Many current threadless types are flippable.I'ts easy enough to try it assuming you know how to readjust the HS for preload when you are done.You should be able to tell where you will end up just by looking at it.Current TTT stems are listed as 80-100*,meaning they are flippable.The 80 will get you close to parallel to the ground.

3TTT have a pretty good website with all the available angles and lengths of their stems.
How you set your stem up in terms of height and length is a very individual matter, so dont be swayed by what you see other riders use, even if they are pros.
Many new bikes are set up much too agressively for the intended rider. You really need to mis-spend your teenage years on a bike to grow into the extremely low and long positions some riders adopt.

Thanks for the comments. I'm switching from a hybrid to this road bike, and after a couple of days I would agree that I don't need to be any lower or more stretched out, so it's probably best the way it is. BTW, is there a single must-have bicycle maintenance/repair/mechanics book out there? Thanks again.

I'd suggest either Bicycling maintenance/repair book
or the Zinn book. Either one is really good for
basic stuff. For the really top drawer I'd say Sutherlands
(some of it available online, do a search of forums for it)
but the book is pretty pricey.

So, where in Texas do you ride?

Marty

the Zinn maintenance book is pretty good.

Here's a must have website for you.

http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQindex.shtml

It's from Park Tools, the largest maker of tools for bicycle repair. It's very comprehensive and complete. If you are going to work on your bike, use only the proper tools and tools of a good quailty. You don't need everything all at once and you don't need to spend a ton.

Working on a bike isn't rocket science, it's actually quite easy. But it will take time to acquire the skill and knowledge to do it. Have patience, take your time and do it according to directions.

It wouldn't hurt to make freinds at your LBS. Many times the advice they give you about how to do things is valuable and comes from experience.

Lotek - I'm fortunate to live adjacent to one of Austin's most popular bike loops - the Southwest parkway/Bee Caves Rd/Barton Creek area. This is where I do my everyday riding, with plenty of hills. Then there are countless beautiful rides in the hill country, not too far out of town, for example on the north shore of Lake Travis.

Thanks to all for the helpful advice. Jon.

Very nice country indeed!

We don't have too many hills in dallas area (read FLAT)
but the wife and I do travel up to red-river valley for
some varied terrain.
I've ridden down there (mostly during Ride 4 Roses weekend)
a few times, and yeah, I'll be there in Oct.
You doing the R4R? its a great time, good ride and
very worthy cause. Look for me in Bike Forums Jersey!

Marty

Another must-have cycling repair/maintenance reference. Commonly referred to as
Sheldon Brown's web-site (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/articles.html).