Originally Posted by
Darth_Firebolt
the top tube on the troll is too long to comfortably put drops and hoods on if you size it properly for flat bars. i've got converted MTBs, too. they're all 1-2 sizes smaller than what I pick for bikes that are going to have flat bars.
Your point is completely accurate and a very valid point, I was very concerned of not wanting to end up with too much reach.
In the end however, a 55mm stem and bars with shallow reach and drop worked fine for me. I'm about 5'10" and the medium troll and salsa cowbell bars worked out, a even slightly shorter stem would have been nice, but steerer height helped a lot.
Using a short stem had no negative affect on the bikes handling, and I was extremely happy with the handling characteristics of it loaded at all speeds on all kinds of terrain and surfaces, and I place a bikes ride and composure right up there on the list of things that give me great pleasure, especially around corners.