On a ride this weekend, I swapped bikes with somebody who was having problems with her front derailleur. I was gonna try and diagnose and fix while riding. It is a relatively new Specialized something-or-another and the same size as my Tetra, so it was convenient for us to switch.
I immediately noticed the the brake hoods are very high on the bars and the bars are rotated in the stem to effectively make the hoods even higher. The bottom of the drops are NOT parallel (or even close) to the ground. This made for a VERY upright riding position. I asked her about this setup and she said it's always been that way and that's how the LBS fit her. The shop is a fairly high end shop and she paid for a fitting service (versus having some "kid" tell her that "looks about right").
I realize that I have my bike set up in the "old school" manner (mid 1980s). My hoods are low and I'm stretched out quite a bit. But I've been riding that way since the 80s and have the flexibility to do so. Besides, it's comfortable for me even on extended day rides and touring. I even have my mt bike set up similarly, which is converse to the entire notion that mt bikes are supposed to be more upright and thus more comfortable.
Anyhow, my question is what is the reason behind having the hoods so high and creating such an upright position. I know that Calfee offers extended head tubes and the vogue riding position is more upright, but is it entirely for comfort? Better breathing by opening up the torso? Lower back relief?
BTW, I have no issues with somebody being more comfortable on their bike, I'm just curious. I'm not (so) masochistic as to want to be UNcomfortable, but I found her bike to be very awkward when tucked in low on the hoods. I was trying to get more aero on a downhill and found my arms and elbows getting in the way. I also found it impossible to have a straight wrist alignment.
To each his/her own, but why is the trend the way it is?
Thanks,
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Skuke
95 Carbonframes Tetra Pro
92 Bridgestone MB-1
90 Moser 51.151
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