Originally Posted by
Camilo
No matter how far back the handlebars are swept, if the stem is in the normal position - pointing forward - the axis of rotation when you turn is still in front of the steer tube, not behind it as it would be if the stem was reversed. So your handling claim doesn't really address what would happen if the stem was reversed.
It seems to me that the axis of rotation can't be anything other than the steerer tube itself. Handlebar grips move on a single circle centered on and perpendicular to the axis of this tube and can be in front, behind or beside the axis. The diameter of the circle is the shortest distance between a grip and the steerer tube axis. You could replace everything with a round steering wheel centered on the steerer tube's axis.
The only thing I see changing mechanically is the size and position in space of the circle, always centered on and perpendicular to the steerer tube's axis . How the rider's body fits the different mechanical possiblities and the degrees of leverage and stability (how the rider goes about holding on to the circle) they offer are separate issues.