how to read stem angles?
 

ive been so confused when looking up stem and their rise/drop angles. here are 3 different companies with their stem:

Cinelli pista: 65 degrees
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/roa...em/CINEHBSK200

Velo Orange: 17 degrees
http://www.velo-orange.com/votast1.html

Dimension: listed as 125 degrees but in description says 35 degrees rise
http://www.amazon.com/Dimension-26-0...5168937&sr=8-3

how do they measure the degrees?

with fork being completely vertical?

I believe the angle is from the steerer tube. ie. if you have a 73 degree head tube, and a 17 degree stem, your stem should be parallel to the ground.

Cinelli and Dimension are measured from steerer tube. Edit: second Dimension figure is from hypothetical 90 degree stem.

VO is measured from a hypothetical 90 degree stem. Should actually be a -17 degree.

Here's an awesome one! They list measurements from the steerer when flipped one way and from the hypothetical 90 degree when flipped the other:

FSA SLK Stem

• One-piece forging for optimal grain alignment
• CNC machined 2014 aluminum for maximum tolerance control
• 4-bolt carbon fiber faceplate. Chromoly hardware
• Flip/floppable: Road (84 degree) or Mountain (6 degree). 147g
• Updated grey and red SLK graphics in black or storm grey (Shown)

+/- 17 cuz it can be flipped

That VO stem flipped would be WACK!]

You're right, it could be done, though.

thanks guys! this is exactly what i was confused about, whether to look at it from the head tube angle or was it from a 90*.