is there a difference between front & top load stems?

SOME really tall people don't like to be so hunched over all the time.
SOME really short people don't need anything bigger than a front load.

Top loads are taller, front loads are shorter... do the math.

Many people ride inverted stems, you'll be fine.

and the way the plates go on obviously do matter. Can you imagine a top load stem that screws on at the front? or a front load that goes on at the top? lmfao.. logic bro

I wrote my question unclearly, or you misread..
I see stems' dimensions in terms of where they hold the bars, not necessarily whether they're top or front load. I understand that, typically, top loads have a higher bar-position compared to front loads, but that isn't always the case (is it? I've never gone and compared the #'s.. there's certainly a trend of top-load being higher but I'm not sure that's a rule. If it is, then, when someone says 'i like top loads' they simply mean higher bar position, it has nothing to do w/ bolting-angles? )
Sorry i hope that's clearer.

lol you updated that post like right as i was posting.. but in that pic the top-load has the bar held lower than the front-load.......I thought it was typically the other way? Aren't top-loads usually keeping the bar higher?

That's the issue. Go look at the numbers if you still don't understand.

That pic is sarcasm.

but i see where you're mixed up now.

For a stem to achieve more rise, a top load design is ideal. Same as with a front load design being ideal for lower rise.

haha k thanks i'm understanding now... saying you want top-load, is saying you want higher rise. My stem really isn't front or top load so maybe that's part of why i had trouble lol. I actually just cruised w/ it inverted and liked it a lot more (i'm not that tall so between the bars and stem it was way too tall for me. Still can't shake the feeling that it looks weak when inverted, but hey they list rise-height #'s on their site for inverted so clearly they're saying it's ok to ride it like that)

cool. One thing to note though is that most any top load inverted will obviously give much lower rise than any up right front load. Although most people avoid doing that because it's either too low or looks awful.

BMXism wrote:

and the way the plates go on obviously do matter. Can you imagine a top load stem that screws on at the front? or a front load ...more

BMXism wrote:

and the way the plates go on obviously do matter. Can you imagine a top load stem that screws on at the front? or a front load that goes on at the top? lmfao.. logic bro

...more

LOL I actually dig it

^ Pretty sure they make stems like that bottom one, TL with minimal rise

I prefer the front load stem due to the way it feels with large bars. With a topload it doesnt feel as stable to me.

I've had both and I really like how my top load feels.

Is it wrong to think that top/front is only one facet, of three, relating to your grips? Like, it's really about where your grips are, relative to your bike, and that's influenced by: bars, stem and spacers. At least that's how I'm seeing it.. I could deal w/ top load stem if bars were short enough, but front-load if bars were too tall. I'm going to try and find someone to trade bars w/ me, because I like mine better w/ my stem inverted, so if I get shorter bars I can put my stem back the normal way!