Quote Originally Posted by indysteel View Post
The effective length of a stem is a function of both its actual length and rise. Rise essentially offsets length... ...You can also increase your options by getting a riser stem that can be "flipped."

As for saddles, Terry makes various "Butterfly" models. Each are a bit different.

I agree that you should get fit properly on your bike before you start auditioning saddles. Fit affects how your're sitting on the saddle. For instance, the wrong saddle height can make an otherwise good saddle feel awful.
Indysteele.... Thx... this makes more sense now. I have 2 Terry saddles in my "home collection" that I am going to re-try. I have wondered all along if a tri saddle might be good for me. I think part of my issue for saying this I found on TE. It was thread about ladies hormones changing and suddenly having saddle issues. My gyn doc says our tissues thin in times of perimenopause (like me). Too thick of chamois causes chaffing elsewhere for me I've found. So, if my body can make up the cushion diff, maybe a wee bit more cushion on the nose area (like tri saddles have) might be the right combo. After the correct fit of course.

Quote Originally Posted by alpinerabbit View Post
This is why a raised stem shortens your reach: it's all about geometry:

Alpinerabbit... Thx for posting this pic! I'm a visual person and that seals the effect of the actual stem rise in my mind. I just need to finish what Trisk is telling me about the HT angle now...