I just measured my Triban 3, which has been my summer / holiday bike from 2013 - early 2020. As I suspected, it has 3cm of spacers and a flipped stem. It is only an aluminium frame, but I did upgrade the fork to carbon. I'm also in the habit of wearing cycle-specific clothing, making me a MAMIL (or probably more accurately an OMIL). I quite like the way it looks, but then again, I've only been cycling for about 8 years and so didn't own any classic racing cycles in my youth, which might otherwise have informed my judgement. It would bother me a little if others thought my bike was some kind of monstrosity, but only a little.
I don't race, as you might have guessed, but do like to have a wee blast every now and then, keeping within my limits for safe cornering, etc. If the handling of the bike has been affected by not having the stem slammed, then I haven't been aware of it, and it hasn't spoiled my enjoyment.
Oh, and it's 3 x 8 speed!
I've since upgraded to a carbon bike (and 3 x 9 speed), built from a Planet X Pro Carbon Evo frame (when it was £300, not the current stupid price). Still 3cm of spacers but non-flipped stem. I reckon I could manage it if it were slammed, but only for short rides and the drops would be out of bounds!!!
Going upwards at 45 degrees...