Originally Posted by
streetstomper
Drop bars aren't scary, but they are less than ideal. Can you brake or shift from the tops or the curves behind the brake hoods? How much does it cost to convert to drop bars? New handlebars, new stem, new brake/shift levers. That gets pretty expensive, too, considering Nashbar charges $232 for 105 STI levers, their cheapest Shimano kit. Plus they don't work with most cable-operated disc brakes and definitely no hydraulics. I haven't heard of any serious failures of Softride or Girvin stems or the RockShox Reverb hydraulic seatpost. I suspect redundancy is part of the reason he uses two air springs. If one fails, the stem may bounce a bit more, but it won't drop to its lowest position.
Let's address your questions one by one---
" Can you brake or shift from the tops or the curves behind the brake hoods?" What do you mean? If I felt the need to brake from the tops, I'd install an inexpensive pair of cyclocross brake levers, and that would be that.With my drops, I can brake from the hoods and the drops, and getting my hand to the brake from the ramp or the top is a matter of a second. Not a big deal. As far as shifting from that position, why? It's not difficult for me to reach down to my barcon and shift. Too much emphasis is placed on the need to shift IMMEDIATELY. Pedal harder. It's good cardio.
"How much does it cost to convert to drop bars? New handlebars, new stem, new brake/shift levers." That depends. Nashbar offers a drop bar for $25, and barcons will cost you AT MOST $100. eBay is always a source for cheaper parts. As a matter of fact, there are Ultegra barcons on eBay right now for $60. New stem? Maybe, maybe not. Still, even if you have to do that, it's going to end up cheaper than $275 and will weigh less.
"Plus they don't work with most cable-operated disc brakes and definitely no hydraulics." A Google search for "disc brakes with road levers" reveals there are LOTS of people using that combination. Maybe not hydraulics, but I don't this this adjustable stem is marketed at the hydraulic disc brake crowd, who are mostly MTB'ers. No, this product is going to be aimed at older cyclists with fit issues, and following a Rivendell-style fit with a nice wide drop bar will solve their problem much more satisfactorily than simply rotating the bar backwards.
What this product does not address is being able to CHANGE HAND POSITION. That's one of the keys to comfort. That's why tourists, who will spend 8 hours a day in the saddle, use either drops or trekking bars overwhelmingly. Being able to move from the tops to the ramp to the hood to the drops allows one's hands to recover. All being able to raise the stem does, IMHO, is rest one's back. But if someone is so uncomfortable they need to raise the bars that high, I think they'll tend to keep the bar in the most comfortable position.