Originally Posted by
FBinNY
The only thing that matters is where the bars end up, not how they got there. A short steerer with an high angle stem is better in terms of rigidity, since there's less to flex above the headset. (but I'm not talking about anything significant).
I'd say it'd be noticeable if you're talking a lot of rise and a 1" quill stem, for sure.
Definitely use less metal to do the same job more stiffly, that's what I say. That's why threadless is win.