Originally Posted by
Charles Wahl
The other way to get some height, and not have a too-short frame look ridiculous, is to use the longer of the two Nitto "Dirtdrop" stems (avail. from Rivendell only, as far as I can tell -- actually there are three if you count the "Periscopa"). Not a 7-shaped stem, but more like a mountain bike's; only with a shimmery Nitto finish (better than the standard Technomic, which is just fine). Downside is that it doesn't come in multiple extensions, like the Technomic. The shorter DD is 60 mm, I think, and the longer one is 80 mm, only. I didn't check, but I think that our own Dirtdrop's Carlton avatar bike uses one. I just bought one for my too-short frame -- waited 2 months while it was on back order -- and can't wait to install it. It will replace the "standard" long Technomic.
No, the Carlton has an old 7-shaped GB stem. The Dirtdrops are on my Gitane and my wife's Fuji. Both have upright bars and I shortened both stems. I shortened the on on my Gitane so much that I had to find a shorter bolt. The PX10 had a Dirtdrop with Moustache bars, but I never liked the look and it's getting the polished Technomic Deluxe.
Here's the Fuji:
