Adjustable stems

[Zen]

The only reason I didn't go with it was because it is silver and my stem is black! He said "yes, it is going to look different, but it will be more comfortable".

Electrical tape

[KnottedYet]

My LBS doesn't like the adjustable stems, also because the bolt eventually wears out. If you use the adjustable as a tool to decide what solid stem to eventually choose, it sounds like an awesome solution.

(of course, if the bike co's would just bring back QUILL STEMS we wouldn't be having so many of these issues... ) <that was my curmudgeon moment>

[Bike Goddess]

I have an adjustable stem on one of my road bikes. (It is black BTW). I got it at Performance a few years ago. I've ridden many a mile with it and haven't had any problems.

Now that I am back on the bike (broken humerus-8 months ago)I decided that the angle of the stem was down too low and therefore I was putting too much pressure on my stiff arm. So we adjusted it up which feels much better. We marked the new spot with a piece of red tape so we know where it is now in case I want to change it again. This procedure took all of 5 minutes to do which is why I like this option.

One of the reasons I put an adjustable stem on in the first place was to see if it would make a difference climbing as we have a lot of hills around here. I haven't changed back so I'd say for now, I'm glad I did it.

[short cut sally]

I was going on my 3rd stem on the bike, just couldn't find one comfortable enough and bike shop was about up to their ears with me swapping and trying and they gave me an adjustable. Yes, its silver, ugly, squeaky and won't stay tight. But, it will give them a better idea as to what size and height stem i will need for my last swap.
ps. if electrical tape doesn't work as mentioned above, cheap can of spray paint!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Sandra, I would be very leery of getting a super-short stem like a 5 (50)- it will definitely make your steering less stable. Try a 7 first, really.

[sandra]

I don't think he was going to order a 50 and I did ask if it would make my steering wobbly and he said no. Seems like he mentioned something about a 63. Is that possible?

How much is a new stem anyway, anybody know? I didn't ask. I'll be keeping my old one for sure, so I can always go back.

[KnottedYet]

My new quill stem was $40.
My new threadless was $27.