Originally Posted by
Wilfred Laurier
You are correct. There are drawbacks, but they are convenience drawbacks, not function drawbacks. Every person must decide whether the advantages in function outweigh the drawbacks in convenience or practicality. I never said they were more practical, I said they are better in function and feel.
edit:
Except for the generalization about European cyclists being stuck in the Victorian era, there was no insult or negativity in h(is/er) post.
Those are functional drawbacks as they limit the functionality of the bicycle for commuting purposes with no net overall functionality gain in any other area.
No speed gain.
No financial gain.
No training gain (over an average commute length).
No style gain.
In fact, I can't come up with a single reason to employ them except the amorphous "fit" and "connection" to the bike which is most likely the placebo effect.
Yes, I find that generalisation insulting and tangental to the conversation at hand, which is why (s)he is on my ignore list.