Originally Posted by
Maelochs
These two bikes are at the far ends of the spectrum ... but as rms13 points out, people used to do all-day rides with racy geometry bikes. (Of course, it was their pain and suffering which prompted the "endurance bike" movement.
)
The endurance bike fad got started by Specialized with the release of the Roubaix. It was designed as a road bike for rough roads, not as a race bike for old inflexible fat guys. After a few years other manufacturers caught on that stiff and fat MAMILs were buying them because they could get more upright on them, they found a way to market them that wasn't offensive to fat old guys that were buying them. If you have the flexibility and core strength of a fat old man, an Endurance bike with an upright position might be best for you.
I have no problem with long rides on a race bike with lots of saddle to bar drop. My back is flat when in the drops, and my neck never bothers me.