In 1980 I ran into a belgian-block curb, went over the bars, knocked myself out, and cracked C6. I've had neck pain ever since, at times severe enough to keep me off the bike, but usually manageable with PT and anti-inflammatories (though I've had to cut back on those in the last year due to troubling kidney values). As a result, I need my bars at least level with the saddle or 1 or 2 cm higher. I really don't care how that might look to others, particularly those who care far more about aesthetics than actual riding.