OK, what role does stem length have?

  • I find that shorter stems are much easier to attach and remove the pump from
  • But the LBS says "no, no no....long stems are best!"


Why? do they enjoy:
  • The bloody knuckles that result from getting banged on the cassette or sharp aero spokes as you struggle to pull the pump off the longer stem?
  • Selling more tubes because of the inevitable leaks that result from pulling so hard on the stems to extract the pump (and most of my flats come from slow leaks immediately around the stems...)?


They never have the short stems in stock...

Am I alone in this observation on stem size????