I know what you mean, Virginia. My dad thought trade classes were a waste of town for a college bound student. What I wouldn't give to have taken wood shop, metal shop and auto shop!

Stem should be fine, I would think. I wouldn't like it because when I walk my bike I usually hold it by the stem with one hand. Once I get my battery out of the handlebar bag and back on the rack I may look at devising a bracket that attaches like a spacer under a threadless stem and hangs down so it would work on bikes with either centerpull or caliper brakes.