Flipping the stem. What does it means?

[josr]

Hi,

I read a lot of messages of people which flipped the stem.

My questions are:

1. Can someone post a photo of a bike where the stem is flipped. Then I can compare this with the production model photo, because I have absolutely no clue what is meant by 'flipping the stem'

2. What is the advantage of flipping the stem?

I checked Google to find out that my understanding of 'stem' is right, and it is ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_(bicycle_part) ). But how can you flip this component? You can not flip this upside down because you wheels are not in the air 

So I have absolutely no clue what you guys mean with 'flipping the stem'.

Thanks in advance!

Jos

[Ferdinand]

When you flip the stem the handlebar is a little bit higher.
I did it on my bike. See here

[trekhead]

 Hi Jos

 welcome aboard, thanks for your PM.
 I`ve sent you a PM with everything you asked.

 cheers
 Sean

[Causbrite]

Flipped mine straight away, bars seemed too high, plus it just did not look right.

[jmarcha]

Bought my District a couple of months ago and love it. Had the dealer flip the stem before I took delivery - it is now low. Bike looks much better like this and it is a better riding position.

[shawnymac]

hey guys ...im a newbie to the flipping deal as well ...can anyone enlighten me?

[shawnymac]

i think i have an idea but...is it just the bolt that hold the bars to the stem that gets switched over?
pic or something would help...
thanks again fellas

[trekhead]

 Guys,
 undo the clamp at the front of the stem and release the bars. Then loosen off the two `pinch bolts` at the back of the stem, take the hex head bolt out of the top of the steerer tube (top of the stem, going through the plate/washer) ease the stem upwards and off. Turn it upside down and put everything back.
  MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS TIGHT BEFORE TEARING UP THE ROAD 

Don`t have a close up but it will look like this - have fun 

 

[shawnymac]

cool dude....am i right in saying this....
the stem is 15 degrees so by flipping it will give me a neagtive 15?

[trekhead]

  Aaaargh !
  You`re getting too technical now - but that sounds about logical - I think

[shawnymac]

hahahaha!!! sorry dude....ok on my bike the stem looks like its in the high position so if i was to FLIP IT it will be at a lower angle.....does that make sense?
is that what all u guys are doin is making the stem angle down for more of a aero dynamic ride?
thanks guys ...hahahaha i have a 69er new to the road scene.....

[trekhead]

 Yeah, that makes complete sense. Take a look at the pic of my District and the top of the stem looks flat/level, so yeah it drops the bars slightly.
 I`m new to a road bike too, so don`t worry, this is my REAL bike 

 

[shawnymac]

DAMN.....sick bike ...those wheels are crazy....i have a 69er root beer color.....it's my off roader so when i saw the DISTRICT i fell in love and was in the market for a roadie but didn't really want a traditional roadie.....(know what i mean?)

[shawnymac]

also....what kind of computer is that....looks kool....(how does it perform?)

[trekhead]

 Thanks man
 the computer is one of these http://bontrager.com/model/07278
 very basic but accurate and you can shove it in your pocket and there are no ugly brackets left on the bars