Originally Posted by
Longfemur
Think about it... if it's already bottoming out, you aren't going to get any more insertion if you cut it down, will you? You will still have the same limited head tube length. The min insertion mark will then be down into the headset, but you will still have the same length of stem in there anyway, so there will really be no change except to how high your handlebars are. It would just be wasted time and effort.
I know the insertion length cannot be altered. The purpose is not to get more insertion into the head tube. As an example, let's say I cut 1/2 inch off the stem. The object is to use the insertion I have available (just under 3 inches) and change the total length of the stem (reducing the exposed length from 4-1/2 inches to 4 inches) which would make the inserted amount acceptable in terms of the minimum insertion normally required for a 7 inch stem rather than a 7-1/2 inch stem. It's a safety and stability issue. At the same time, I've raised my handlebars to a more desireable position (about 1 to 1-1/2 inches higher) than with a standard stem.
Originally Posted by
Longfemur
Your problem is that you are using a wedge type stem in a short head tube.
The real problem is the bike is a little too small for me which requires that I raise the seat post to get proper saddle height, thus necessitating the rise in the handlebars to accomodate my preferred riding posture which is to have the handlebars 1 to 2 inches below the saddle.