Riser stem vs spacer

Would just like to know what is the preferred “Slowtwitch approved” options if one need to raise bars just a bit over the headtube:

Here would be the extreme options
Option 1: No spacer at all + plus a riser stem
Option 2: few cm of spacers (lets say no more than 3cm!) plus a -17deg stem
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I seem to recall a post by Slowman stating that in a conversion with John Cobb that Mr. Cobb said that a riser stem was faster than a “flat” or -17 stem and some spacers.

Do your aerobars give you the option of running slim arm rest spacers, a la the garmin guys and saxo bank riders

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/492794/tour-de-france-stage-19-time-trial-photo-special.html
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