I just got my bike back from the LBS where they installed a new threadless headset and fork. I had them leave the 300mm steerer tube uncut (they thought I was nuts and it took two phone calls and a visit to the shop to convince them I really did not want it cut) so that I can experiment with handlebar positions.

I've got the flat (25mm rise) bar about where I want it and I ended up with 70mm of spacers below the stem and 55cm of spacers above the stem. The stem has a very steep 40 degree rise. However, I still feel a little cramped on distance to the bars so I want to move them out a centimeter or two. I see two options:

1) Get a similar rise stem that is longer

2) Get a lesser rise stem of the same length (100mm) and add appropriate spacer(s) below it.

Does one of these method have an advantage over the other? I checked the fork manufacturer's instruction and there is no spacer limit noted.

Also, I plan to eventually put drop bars on the bike and I don't know if the stem height & length would change for drops vs flats.