DebW in the 21st century?

[Triskeliongirl]

My first 3 months were with the way long 9cm stem and I could not get comfortable with the long reach. Switched to a 5cm stem which felt instantly WAY better and seemed just fine. It certainly solved the problem at the time......My next step is to try a compromise- switch to a 7cm stem and perhaps my stronger core muscles now will help me feel ok with the reach increase.

Lisa, a 9 cm stem is not way long, it is an ideal size from a handling perspective. If I were you, rather than buying a 7 cm stem, I would buy a short reach bar (same cost as new stem). The Rivendell iyou have is spec'd with a nitto noodle, which is a great bar (I have it on my bikes) but a long reach bar (I can only get away with it cuz I have a short top tube and 24" front wheel). If you do indeed have the noodle it has a 9 cm reach. SO, if you pair a 9 cm stem with a short reach bar (both the eva bar mimi likes and the salsa poco have a 7 cm reach), the total reach will be the same as pairing your 9 cm reach bar with a 7 cm stem, but the bike will handle better with the longer stem. Of course if you just love the noodle bar you may not like it though. What you'll lose is that extra hand position behind the hoods, but then you may find you can use the tops more instead. While I love my nitto noodle bar, if I bought a bike with the geometry you did I would switch bars.