Originally Posted by
icemilkcoffee
I don't agree with this at all. If your stem got knocked loose, it is absolutely a dangerous situation. I find that steel quill stems are especially problematic in this way. Once it gets knocked loose- it is loose. Aluminum stems tend to give more warning, and have a longer way to go between slightly loose and dangerously loose.
Whereas if your handlebars is slightly loose, it might slip and rotate downwards, but you are still firmly in control of the bike.
Apparently you missed my second sentence.
... All it needs to do is make it so a little effort is required to twist the handlebars...
Do that and your scenario doesn't happen.
And I agree with you about the handlebars spinning in the stem clamp - if you are in the drops. But many of the common perches on the hoods? I've heard too many stories of that going wrong.