adjustable stems: above or below?
03-02-13 | 05:27 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Ride for Life
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 2
From: Houston
adjustable stems: above or below?
what say ye, on bikes with stems such as the one pictured below, is proper form to have the bars on top of the stem, or below? i had always thought below, but i am starting to see many examples on top.
03-02-13 | 05:58 PM
#3
feros ferio
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 22,398
Likes: 1,865
From: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Neither. 
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
03-02-13 | 07:02 PM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 10
Bikes: Cinelli, Paramount, Raleigh, Carlton, Zeus, Gemniani, Frejus, Legnano, Pinarello, Falcon
03-02-13 | 07:10 PM
#6
Phyllo-buster
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,264
Likes: 2,690
From: Nova Scotia
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
My large stomach dictates what I can and cannot do. Above. And do tell, what is that lovely stem you have?
Last edited by clubman; 03-02-13 at 07:13 PM.
03-02-13 | 07:23 PM
#7
Decrepit Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,488
Likes: 92
From: Santa Rosa, California
Bikes: Waterford 953 RS-22, several Paramounts
These are often called "Major Taylor" stems, and Mr. Taylor had his handlebar on top.
I don't think there is a correct orientation, though. With the handlebar on the bottom, you can assume a more aero position (if your back can take it).
I don't think there is a correct orientation, though. With the handlebar on the bottom, you can assume a more aero position (if your back can take it).
03-02-13 | 07:36 PM
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 10
Bikes: Cinelli, Paramount, Raleigh, Carlton, Zeus, Gemniani, Frejus, Legnano, Pinarello, Falcon
03-02-13 | 07:52 PM
#9
Decrepit Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,488
Likes: 92
From: Santa Rosa, California
Bikes: Waterford 953 RS-22, several Paramounts
Yep; that one looks round. This one looks square, though.
03-02-13 | 09:14 PM
#10
Phyllo-buster
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,264
Likes: 2,690
From: Nova Scotia
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
And this one looks unadjustable. This postcard went on ebay a dozen years ago for more than I wanted to pay. Riding a Massey Harris Silver Ribbon of all things.
03-02-13 | 11:59 PM
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 17,196
Likes: 761
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
I'd be surprised if Major Taylor used an adjustable regularly. Those are mainly for working out sizing, I think.
03-03-13 | 09:15 AM
#13
Decrepit Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,488
Likes: 92
From: Santa Rosa, California
Bikes: Waterford 953 RS-22, several Paramounts
There you have it. Top or bottom, long or short extension...
