Part of it may be trying to find a way to use a light touch on the handlebars. Normally bent arms (although I am often riding with too straight of arms).

I was looking at some of my spares, and Specialized did make an aluminum bar with zertz and a fairly compact curve, and a flat top. I really can't tell a lot, but it does give a slight amount of flex to the bars. I haven't ridden CF yet, but perthaps that would also give a different feel.