Looking over the various pics in C&V one sees bars positioned many different way. Some people position their bars with the forward throw dropping down and the drops horizontal, parallel to the TT. Some place the bars much lower than the seat too. I've always like the hand positions (and the look) of bars with the forward throw being horizontal. With the various bars I have this puts the drops at some angle with the forward end sloping up from horizontal. I've never been able to bend down but so far, so bars positioned really really really low are uncomfortable.

I'm curious, have there been consistent period-based styles from manufacturers? Or by racing teams? So many bike details are driven by what appear to be fads in the marketplace, while other details are clearly functional or ought to be.

Similarly, I've read mention of "modern" bar shapes or classic shapes. This would seem to an area where style could trump functionality if riders don't have a clear idea of what they prefer and why. It's such a fuzzy detail. Pretty subtle stuff until you have developed a preference.