Originally Posted by
cplager
... it isn't a question if 'bents are more comfortable than DFs ..., but rather if DFs are comfortable enough...
I think this is the crux. I believe that few cyclists are lucky enough to have the bike "disappear under them" as some claim; but that's not necessary. All they really want is for it to be bearable. To most, it's just not worth investing in a new style bike and all the modification of their riding style, just to avoid what is a minor annoyance to them. And when pressed about that minor annoyance, they'll emphatically deny it exists at all, just to avoid the debate.
In the meantime, if someone on a Safety Bike complains that they can't keep up and I'm "cheating," I tell them that, by their own mantra, it's the engine not the bike,
and if they really believe otherwise there's nothing preventing them from getting a bent, too.