Originally Posted by
hls811
thanks for the feedback, yes - $1000 is not worth the effort of avoiding training... I did get into this for fun and health - not to spend more money (which I undoubtedly will!)! My whole thinking with the drop bars was more for leverage.. I could be wrong (and I usually am) but it just seems like that lower position just makes for a stronger peddling position which helps with steeper hills.
The inverse is true, though.
Look at pro races and you'll notice how riders use the tops of their handlebars when climbing.
The more upright position will in fact give you more power output and will let you use more muscles to climb.
The only thing going lower is good for is for aerodynamics, which make you faster overall but it doesn't matter that much when climbing.