Not a C&V, just a 2008 Globe Carmel. Shortest quill stem I've ever seen. Strongest too. It's basically a massive metal fist, four bolts clamping a handlebar with the strength of Iron Man's fist.


The quill stem is very long, which is perfect for a comfort hybrid with upright ride. But it can't be lowered enough to put the riser bar at saddle height. The head tube is tapered inward, preventing the quill stem from seating securely when slammed. So it needs a flat bar, arced bar or flipped albatross or North Roads bar for a lower position. However an albatross or North Roads bar would reduce the reach too much for me on this frame.


It was superficially comfortable at first in 2015 when I'd resumed cycling after 30 years away from bicycling, and 14 years after a car wreck busted up my back and neck. At the time even a flat bar hybrid with handlebars at saddle height was unbearably painful. Took another year of conditioning to get into that kind of shape. And two years of conditioning to get my body ready for a drop bar road bike -- and that's still uncomfortable beyond 20-30 miles.


This riser bar and lack of reach is no longer comfortable to me. It's okay for short rides on flat terrain, but a real chore on climbs. It works better with the flat steel bar swiped from my '92 Univega. For awhile I rode the Univega with the riser bar from the Globe. But the Univega will soon get a flipped albatross or similar bar, just a wee bit lower and a little less reach, as a compromise for days when my neck can't handle the road bike but I want a more aero profile than the flat bar hybrid can offer.


I also tried flipping the riser bar on the Globe but the angle is horrible for my wrists. That angle is okay with albatross or North Roads bars, upright or flipped, but awful for riser bars with the elbows outward.


This quill stem might solve a niche problem with a frame with an uncomfortably long top tube, for someone who wants to reduce the reach but also prefers a flat bar slightly above saddle height. I haven't tried it yet on the Univega Via Carisma, which already has a fairly short mountain bike type quill stem.