Originally Posted by
Kontact
The main change in the bikes over time is really that brake hoods have gotten longer causing stems to get shorter to compensate.
And modern compact square handlebar bends put the levers about level with the top of the bar, resulting in slightly lowered handlebars.
And since Greg wrote his book, competitive riders have tended toward less saddle setback and shorter, lower reach. To that end, bike manufacturers have been making the seat tube angles steeper. How this works for non-racers with more normal physiques, though, is anybody's guess.