There is one more thing to say in favor of a "racing" position; though this term is really a false one, since it is used by riders who have no thought whatsoever of racing; and that is that it is in a sense more comfortable for putting out power if you like to push yourself. The butt-back, lower bar position (and I am speaking only of a modestly low bar; no attempt at a truly flat back) feels good because it optimizes weight distribution and power generation. I often get into my hooks (a mere 4 cm below saddle) simply for a change of position, or to maintain speed up a slight incline, wind not the issue. It also in my experience of four Rivendell models, three customs, brings out the best handling in Grant's long rear-center, shortish front-center designs. Even my Hillborne, on which I want higher bars for multi day touring, and the newly brazed and painted Monocog, where I want a higher position off road, let me get back and low simply by riding the hooks and bending my elbows. I've found excessively high bars unweight the front end too much and make it feel unstable; my Hillborne bars are about 1 cm above saddle, those of the Monocog (with a longer cockpit even than the H) about 2 cm above versus the 4-5 cm above that the Hillborne was originally set up with on the Riv floor. (I have the old floor model.) And I have short arms.
So, I'd suggest a position that, while it lets you straighten up, also does not deprive you of that wonderful butt-back, arms low and lightly resting on the bars position that PJW among others describes. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
