Originally Posted by
Happy Feet
No I don't think so. Road racing/cycling is way more popular in Europe and they use drop bars.
Without being political I think the US is far less accepting of different ideas and Europe tends to be more progressive as far as exploring out of the box technology. Here we feel we must use drops because that's what we use but maybe.. maybe we can bend them a little out or shorten the reach. In Europe I imagine they just chuck out the rule book for each activity and ask, what would a better bar look like? Or, what would a better IGH or generator etc... look like? They are a lot less constricted by tradition in that way. It's socially acceptable to innovate. Here, with so many things one seems to have to prove loyalty by remaining the same ie. Harley's and Ford trucks.
My experience is exactly the opposite. In fact, I don't think I could have a more opposite experience. Have you lived in Europe? Have you ever tried to get a European to do something in a new way? There is a reason why since WWI the U.S. has been the hotbed of most innovation.
Throughout most of Europe Americans are known for embracing the new and weird...its one of our respected characteristics. I'm not sure why, but Americans love to imagine Europe is this utopia where the beer flows like wine.
while America is so terrible. Each place has its pros and cons, but in the department of embracing change, there is literally no comparison.