Ultron

Hey guys I recently acquired a new Medici Pro-Strada and it's turning out really well after swapping out some parts that were put on it over the years. It's no showroom quality bike but it's dope in its own right.

Anyways the Cinelli stem was a tad too long for my liking. I was thinking of getting another one a bit shorter but also was thinking of the Nitto Jaguar stem that I see on many track bikes. My own track bike is set up perfect and as it stands now the bars are a good bit lower than those on my road bike. I'm really flexible so getting into deep aero positions isn't really too hard and I've actually preferred it as of now. Would it look weird to put a Nitto Jaguar stem on a road bike? I've never seen it done, but I can't imagine it does too much harm. So have you guys seen any bikes like that? And do you think it would throw off the lines of the road bike?

The Golden Boy 

It's your bike. If you dig it- try it- if you think it doesn't work right, or it looks funky or you just don't like it- you can change it out.

My personal opinion- I like pretty upright, laid back riding. My opinion is nothing you want to hear.

Prowler 

+1 it's yer bike. It could look great with the saddle nicely set high, the bars low and the brake levers deep in the ramps, even into the hooks. As GB said, try it and see. I've tried bar ideas then wrapped the bars in long strips of old inner tubes, just for test rides. Then when I'm convinced I like what I have I install proper bar tape. Easy and cheap way to try things, experiment, adjust, etc.

Even at my advanced age, I'm flexible enough to ride in the drops a lot and like it. I get what your saying.

Salamandrine 

No, I haven't seen that, even BITD when Medici was a thing. And yes, I think it would throw off the lines. More importantly I don't think that would be useful for road riding. Also it doesn't make much sense if you feel that your current stem is too long that you would want a stem capable of extreme drop, as the net effect is much the same. Longer is arguably more aero, depending on who you ask.

More typical of the time would be to run deep drop Cinelli Del Mondo 66 bars, and simply slam the stem more than usual.

There were a few folks who were still riding steel Cinelli stems on road bikes, for extra stiffness or whatever, so something like a Nitto 'craft' stem could work. The only track stem I remember on road bikes was a very occasional adjustable type: the ones with a sliding clamp that held the bars below the stem. Pretty uncommon by 1980 or so, but it did exist.

All that said, it isn't 1979 anymore, and it's your bike. You can do what you want.

Bianchigirll 

My back hurts just looking at that!

zukahn1 

Doing this is a bit of a trade off it will likely improve handling ride a bit from a somewhat relaxed drop position but might through the handling off a bit from more upright or stand up riding positions. since this seems to be what the OP is going for I would say try it I often find myself trying several different setups with a new to me bike before i find one that's just right.

63rickert

This is not a big deal. While I have no definite recollection of seeing a Jaguar on an original period bike it was not the least bit unusual for someone to use a Cinelli #2 or #3 on a road bike. Steel or aluminum. It will stand out and you will want to dress it nicely with good looking tape and etc.

Ultron

The cinelli #3 is basically what I was going for with the Jaguar, I think it's the same angle, at least it looks like it. I haven't been able to find a decently priced Cinelli #3 but there are plenty of Jaguars in many sizes on eBay!

Which one is stiffer though?

63rickert

I can't help with prices. The stiffest one is going to be the steel version of the Jaguar. Cinelli steel will be stiff enough for anyone and will be very very high priced.

Come to think of it the Nitto aluminum is likely stronger than the Cinelli aluminum. Cinelli stems occasionally get twisted. Mostly in tandem use but it happens. Anyone ever hear of a twisted Nitto?