Flipping stem over??
 

Is there any reason that I shouldnt or couldnt turn my ITM Millennium stem over. I would like to raise my aero bars a little and it looks like if I turned my stem over it would raise them about the inch that I need. Would appreciate any comments on this.
Thanks

Go for it! Threadless (non-quill) stems are designed to be flipped.

Yep, perfectly acceptable. A lot of stems even have logos printed both ways to accomodate this.

http://www.cambriabike.com/Images/pr..._road_stem.jpg

In addition you need to know that your bars will be moved back toward you when your do this. You may need a longer stem to accomodate the difference. Also, double sided ferrules will allow you to add bits of cable housing if you need to lengthen the front brake housing without buying an all new cable housing. 2 inches is a lot. You still might need to buy a front brake cable anyhow. Good luck.

My apologies in advance, but I feel it my duty to point out that some on this forum (not me I might add) think that flipping the stem the "wrong" way is very bad OCP practice, especially with aero bars!:D

I say go for it if it's gonna make you more comfortable. I personally have mine flipped down but only because it's more comfortable for me this way and I can get lower in the drops. I don't have aero bars either.

Hope all goes well and you're happy with your new setup.

Totally agree with Matt. Get it flipped. Quite a few customers have had this done over the years to give themselves a slightly higher position, especially for winter training.

Or when you age a bit!

thanks!!
 

This is exactly the info I needed. Kind of thought I could "flip it" but there wasnt any "upsidedown" lable on the stem. I flipped it already and the length doesnt seem to be a factor and it is much more comfortable. Thanks to everyone that has replied.

I know this isn't quite an answer to your question, and you probably are not looking to spend more money. However...
Have you considered an adjustable stem? I'm quite taken with mine. It stays in the exact same place greater than 90% of the time, but once in a great while, depending on the type of riding/weather/etc I'll displace it up or down 10 degrees and then just rotate the bars appropriately.
It has a range of travel of +60 to -10 degrees, in 10 degree detented increments.

By the by, who cares if there's an "upside down" label on it? Do you care if you advertise for them? Do you care if everyone else knows right away what "brand" you're using? Does "corporate loyalty" really matter that much, and should it?
I'm sorry, that was quite a bit off subject, and somewhat of a rant as well, but still...

"No Logo"

Please read the instructions on park tool site for setting headset. Forgive me if you know all about this but every month or so, someone flipps their stem and then writes in with "why is my front end knocking?"

Banzai, maybe the OP thought the reversible label was a sign that the stem was reversible. You know, maybe manufacturers indicate which stems can be flipped by putting dual labels, or something like that.

Give him a break and get off your anti-corporate high horse. I'm sure you've removed every brand on every piece of gear on your bike. Just 'cause he's asking a question about labels doesn't make him an advertising shill.

My apologies. As previously admitted, a bit off topic. Certainly never intended as an "attack" on the OP. The trouble sometimes with message boards is that tone isn't always evident, and my intent was never hostile, just a point to ponder. I wondered merely, why should it matter? :rolleyes: Of all the factors that would drive a decision to make this simple mechanical adjustment, the one in my mind that shouldn't even factor in is the orientation and legibility of the label. I guess my way of posing that question was a bit philosophically and politically "loaded." And yes, I am rather "anti-corporate" as well, but I didn't mean to shout from my "high horse". I'm also short, so climbing up there requires some effort that I had not intended to exert this morning. :p

You're quite right, I have not gone out of my way to remove every "brand". To do so would very likely destroy the attractive paintjob which I lack both the talent and the time to replace. To do so would also be a bit silly.

I also had not considered that a "reverse" label would or would not signify anything mechanically, either.

But like I said, simply off topic ponderings. I apologize for any perceived hostility towards the OP.

Adjustable stems, anyone? ;)