s-words

Until recently, I was running a 100mm -6 degree stem with 1.5cm of spacers under it. I realized that I could get just about the same position with a 90mm +-0 degree stem, so I tried it out, and... I like it! I think it looks good ("purposeful" might be the word), and it noticeably increases front end stiffness while steering and sprinting.

You don't have to scratch your head very long to realize that negative rise stems with spacers under them don't make much sense in terms of performance. I think they are just an aesthetic holdover from the days of quill stems. I say slam that stem on top of your headset! Resort to a positive-rise stem if necessary!

What does BF think?

Creakyknees

flip it.

/ it had to be said.

Jakedatc

I'd love a 90 x 90 deg but they are pretty hard to find unless you want to spend 100 bucks on the Thomson.

ilovecycling

Dummy.

It's a +- 0 degree stem. If he flipped it, it would accomplish nothing.

jwill87ta

I just flipped and slammed my stem last night. Did about 3 minutes on the rollers just to see if I was comfortable. it was noticeably more "responsive" than before. Looking forward to testing it on a longer distance this weekend.

jsharr

Actually this would seem to make the flip even more appealing. Work with no gain!

MerckxMad

You realize that if you cut the steerer tube extension flush with the top of the stem you eliminate further adjustability and a segment of the buying market when you inevitably decide to sell the bike, right?

Phantoj

How would you know when to stop flipping?

Creakyknees

incorrect. the logo would be upside down.

ilovecycling

That's true, but some of us don't care because we bought the bike for ourselves. If someone has a problem with a cut down steerer, they can always buy a new fork.

I'm glad this thread came up because it inspired me to do the same to my bike. I've been meaning to cut down the steerer, but I never thought about flipping the stem to make it higher and just eliminating the use of spacers altogether. This is how it looks now:

c_mack9

I've been wondering if this will make my back hurt more? I find myself in the drops almost all the time. Would getting rid of my spacers make riding the tops easier on my back do you think? Pardon, for I am newb.

charliekeri

too many ride with the stem in the negative for the wrong reason. Eventually most go positive. You can ride, but you can't hide. And then you'll wonder why you listened to your ego for so long. Face it - you're not that flexible and you would be a lot more comfortable in the positive.

hao

I'm perfectly comfortable with my stem at -10 and a 5 mm spacer below. You need some flexibility, but this ain't acrobatics.

zitter

just the way i like it

dstrong 

zitter...where'd you find that grey bar tape?

Jakedatc

hehe.. looks like white "carbon" tape with a bit of mileage on it

zitter

Haha just DSP lizardskin that I haven't cleaned in a while

s-words

Ha ha, I actually thought about flipping it and taking another picture with the logo upside down, just for you.

Lots of track racers run positive-rise stems. It doesn't look fred-ly as long as you still have some saddle-to-bar-drop. (Pics from cyclingnews.)

hao

dear god those track dudes look like freaks...

dstrong 

Freaks of nature more like it. Will the real Guadzilla please stand up?

TMB

I think I can say, with a fair degree of certainty, that he knows that perfectly well and right now is laughing his head off.

s-words

Post pics when it's done!

availpunk9

It can't be flipped... 0 degree rise.

CyciumX

You guys have no idea the subtleness of creakyknees delivery

CyciumX

let me write it out for you...

....he said it because this is BF and in its grand stupidity it -always- has to be said.