I'm surprised they didn't bug you to lower your stem. I think they may have the bars/brake levers set up the way they would for someone that has some seat to bars drop, and you don't have any. I have never experimented with this aspect of fitting, but it seems clear that as you raise the stem you are changing the way the wrists have to bend unless some accommodation is made. It's not uncommon for people with their bars set higher to have the bars rotated back a little.
Adjusting to someone's core strength is a good point. The issue then becomes if the core strength improves, do you push for a more aggressive position. I shortened my stem due to sore neck/upper back, and now it feels too short.
Last edited by unterhausen; 01-06-11 at 04:01 PM.