I've flipped my stem, and in the 8 or so months I've had my bike, moved my stem all the way down to the headset cap. I'm even looking for a 17 degree stem so I can go lower. Bar heights are really just dependent on the rider.

Glad it worked for you, Brian. I flipped the stem on my roadie a month or two back, and am definitely faster plus feel more comfortable - who'd've thunk??

I tried flipping the stem on my commuter, but didn't like it at all. It's something that depends on the bike and the rider.

As a point of reference for this discussion there needs to be an absolute 'flipped' and 'not flipped' -- just like port and starboard on a boat, left and right can't depend on which way you're facing. Flipped and not flipped can't depend on how the bike was originally assembed.

I don't know about you guys but my life has changed dramatically since I flipped that stem. (thanks wood boy!)

Let's see.....

I can play the piano.
I won the Lottery.
My long lost dog returned home.
My hair seems glossier than ever.
I never have to sharpen my kitchen knives!
My neighbor started cutting my grass!
People seem much friendlier?!
My clothes fit better!
I no longer need glasses!
Gifts keep appearing at my doorstep.
Everyone is finally taking me seriously!


IT'S A MIRACLE!
HALLELUJAH....I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT!

Are we suppoosed to take this seriously?

From all the fit-related stuff I've read, and going through a pro fitting earlier this summer, the relative height of the saddle to the handlebars has to do with rider preference and flexibility. If your hamstrings (and lower back etc etc) can handle it, sure, g'head and lower the bars (by turning the stem over in most cases). Like anything else, there will be a 'honeymoon' period of 50-100 miles while your body gets used to it. The last thing you'd want is to make a change, ride 5 miles, make another change, ride 5 miles.... Gotta give the body time to acclimate. If you like it, and are comfy, then cool. It's not for everyone though

And yes, you will push less wind, which is a nice bonus.

Depends a lot on bike geometry too. Some bikes have much taller head tubes than others resulting in the need for different stem angles and spacer to put the bars in the right spot. My Specialized Sequoia has the stem adjusted to about a -10 degree angle whereas my LOOK has a 10 degree stem pointing up. The bars on the LOOK are still lower and I'm more stretched out on that bike because of the longer top tube. With the stem flipped, my drops would be useless as I'd have no room to move my legs (I guess that's why the "Pro" drops are more shallow).

If the stem is flipped, thus lower, even riding on the top of the bars or hoods will be more aerodynamic than if the stem was in a higher hi-rise position.

Just because your hands are on the drops does not mean you are in a cleaner aero position, All the drops do is lower your frontal area, however it does create drag as well because your arms are out to the side.

The most aero dynamic position on regular drop bars is with your hands close to the stem in a praying mantis tuck. This combined with a lower stem creates the least aerodynamic resistance. You notice in the TdF as they descend the Alps or Pyrenees, they all take this position.

It's not only "Aesthetics value only" because lower is lower, however I agree, there is a balance point, that only you can determine whats right for you be it speed, comfort, looks.... etc.

Like I said, ride to your own level be it Geezer or Racer

"Stem flipping"? Must be newbie talk.

I tried flipping the stem (which lowers the bars and increases the reach) for several hundred miles, but it makes my back ache. It's okay if I don't ride more than 25 miles, but no good for my solo centuries. BTW, in the down position, my bar is about 5" lower than my saddle. So I flipped it back up, so my bar is about 3" below my saddle-->I can always go on the drops if I want to go lower.

Remember that aerodynamics is about coefficient of drag and frontal surface. You wear tight, smooth cycling gear to address the first issue. For the 2nd issue (what this stem flipping is about?), you can do a couple of things, you can lower your head so it's level with the rest of your body, or you can raise your butt to the rest of your body. Either one will work as long as you try to have your body level, so if your saddle is not at the max power-stroke level, you can also raise your saddle rather than flip your stem. Just a different perspective...

Looking at Jessica Alba's "junk in the trunk" makes me want to flip my stem...

That's funny, I just flipped my stem UP. The change made sprinting/climbing out the saddle more comfortable and efficient (legs were actually touching the bars when I stood up before), and I think it improved my breathing. I'm pretty sure it gave me some more watts to play with. If I want aero it's down to the drops, or forearms down on the hoods, or elbows down on the bars.

hmmmm.... does you're bike fit correctly? Sounds like it's to short (not the seat post, the top tube stem combo) It probably improved your breathing because with your stem lower, you might not have been rolling your pelvis forward and opening your hips and diaphram to breath properly. Even if you're in the drops and your stem is high, you aren't nearly as aero as you hope... If your back is flat in the drops or on the hoods with your elbows bent, you're aero. Anything else is less so.