Originally Posted by
caloso
Position 1 on my TT bike (which isn't just about stem height but a entirely different set of bars and saddle position)
Position 2 on my road bike
Position 2.5 on my CX bike
Positions 4 and 5 make my ass and back hurt after a few miles. It's counterintuitive, but I find being low, stretched out, and most importantly weight balanced fore and aft to be most comfortable for long miles.
+1 I don't TTs so no Position 1. Position 2 much of the time. It is getting a little harder and my limited riding this year hasn't helped. Bars are coming up slowly over the years. (67 now.)
I like to think of cats stretching when I ride. That stretch where they get really long, paws way out in front. My back loves it when I can do that; ride with a near flat back and arms way out in front. Going to not-so-low bars but really long stems 25 years ago was a complete eye-opener. I came home feeling great from 70 miles with real hills on a fix gear I'd just put a 180 quill stem on. (Hammered but my back loved it.)