Effects of longer and higher stem on rider position/comfort and handling My first road bike, and the bars feel a little low and a little close. What would be the effects of switching to a stem that is 10-20mm longer, and either the same angle so the bars are slightly higher, or angled slightly up so the bars are more noticeably higher?

Is there a formula for moving bars away and up to maintain comfort/reach, similar to when moving your saddle up/down after change the fore/aft position, or is it just based on rider perception?

I guess I’ve always thought of an aerodynamic position as being about getting low down, but stretching out must achieve a similar end and help to get horizontal forearms, a flatter back etc?

edit – this has come from me feeling like I could stretch out more on the hoods and still be comfortable, and the drops feeling too low to maintain a comfortable position without feeling it in the lower back. I have 86cm inseam and ride a 60cm bike, but long upper body and arms hence thinking of a longer stem.
There is no magic formula for handlebar position, so some experimentation is necessary.

If you feel your hand should be further forward, get a longer stem. Think about where your hand want to be on the drops and decide if you will go 1cm or 2cm longer.

You can experiment with bar height. If you have spacers on the steerer you can move the stem up and down. If you want the bar higher still you can flip the stem.

By the way, many riders find the drops uncomfortable for long periods of time. Spending time in the drops, stretching and core strength exercises help.

With regard to handling a longer stem moves mass forward which makes the bike a little more stable and slows steering due to the longer radius between contact points on the bars and the steering axis.