Originally Posted by Carbonfiberboy

"Conventional wisdom" folks frequently repeat what they've heard, rather than write from personal experience. That's a big reason for a lot of foolishness on the web. The traditional road bike position with bars even with or lower than the saddle is that way because it's easier on the back. It's also more aero, but the larger reason is that it's more powerful and comfortable over the long haul. The reasons for this are very simple. The biggest reason is that our backs are much comfortable when they can respond to loads by flexure rather than compression. The more upright, the more your spine is loaded in compression which is exacerbated by riding a bike on bumpy roads, and all roads are more or less bumpy to a bicycle. The second is that back flexion opens the dorsal side of the lumbar vertebrae, which decreases pressure on the nerves and the facets.