I am in the market for a new, 26mm clamp diameter, quill stem. I am also on a budget so I was immediately drawn to the Nitto Technomic stems. I have a question about measurements that I can't seem to get a straight answer to:

When they say that a stem has a certain length (i.e. 50mm length or 120mm length) does that mean the length of the part that sticks into the steering tube OR the length of the piece that sticks forward and connects to the handlebars. The Ben's cycle description says "want to get your handlebars up high?" which makes me thing that this measurement is for the length of the piece that sticks INTO the steering tube. It's kind of confusing

If it is the length of the piece that sticks out over the tire and connects to the handlebars, I would want a long one. I have a 58cm frame, is there a certain size that is recommended for this size frame? I do like to be leaning forward...