Originally Posted by
Carbonfiberboy
I'd just comment on the idea of "comfort bikes," and I don't know, maybe on the idea of selling people what they think they want, always a good idea, right? But the fact is that bikes which are ridden long distances always feature a bent-over riding position, torso at about 45°. Why? Because our backs hate getting jarred, but they love being bent. Upright is like a pile driver as the bike goes over bumps. Bent-over, the spine just flexes and it likes that. Bent-over isn't about speed, it's about comfort. Anyway . . .
I disagree with everything that you just said. I have never experienced any jarring on my back from upright riding position and I do ride off road on rough terrain a lot. Humans are upright creatures and it's unnatural to sit on a bike with a bent back and hunched over position for hours on end. The position you describe is strictly for performance and aerodynamics and has nothing to do with comfort and health, bending your lower back and spine all the time is a bad thing. Not everybody is interested in performance, some people just ride for fun, general fitness and enjoyment. Your one size fits all riding position is just wrong.