Fondriest X-Status

With all that nice components, why not get a prober handlebar instead of the 4ZA one? Given your weight you might want to consider a Deda M35 handlebar. You would need to de-label it, if you want it to match with the other parts. A larger shim combined with a top spacer would be me first pick though.

slam the stem ??

Don't even think twice! You are not using a lot of seatpost, so after getting rid of the spacer you could try a -17 stem as well ;)

With all that nice components, why not get a prober handlebar instead of the 4ZA one? Given your weight you might want to consider a Deda M35 handlebar. You would need to de-label it, if you want it to match with the other parts. A larger shim combined with a top spacer would be me first pick though.

Dissapoints me to hear this as I just paid £130 to a fellow forum member to buy those drops (new) !!!

Could not find a lot of information on them but the little information I could find was mostly positive!

They are these ones

http://www.carbonconnection.com/forza-4za-cirrus-pro-handlebars-carbon-compact-31-8/

Don't even think twice! You are not using a lot of seatpost, so after getting rid of the spacer you could try a -17 stem as well ;)

I guess I am a bit of a slack ! I do find that the current height suits me well. The more miles I put on the bike the more comfortable I get so I guess at some point in the future I may consider droping the spacers !

A larger shim combined

I am looking for one of those 40mm Thomson shims. I will probably start with that!

combined with a top spacer

You mean moving one of the spacers over the stem?? or adding another one?? (apologies if this is a dumb question).

Ridley's house brand 4ZA doesn't sell bad stuff, but it is definitely not top end like your ZIPP components.

Same seller was selling Zipp Course SL drops in my size for much less than the 4ZAs (only difference they were aluminium).

I went with the 4ZAs as they were CF and I thought they would be stiffer.

Carbon can be stiffer, but only rarely is actually stiffer. The biggest advantage of a carbon bar is vibration dampening IMHO and weight of course.