[QUOTE=banzai_f16]I recently converted my flat bar roadie to drops. However ... When I have the bar set so that the tops and hoods are comfortable (i.e. near level), the drops are too steep, and uncomfortable for anything greater than short "bursts" or downhill stretches into the wind . . ./QUOTE]

I think this is exactly what you want. Ordinarily, you will be riding in what is a comfortable position for you, with many different hand positions.

The drops are for those situations where, because of the conditions, a comfortable riding positon will not be your primary consideration. If you are never in such conditions, then you will always be riding on top of the bars.

The problem some people have--possibly because they have a bike that is too small--is that they cannot get the tops of their bars high enough, e.g., they essentially are always riding in an aggressive position such that their "drop" position is totally unusable.

Personally, I like the tops of the bars about even with the saddle and standard drop bars work Ok for me. However, there are bars that have a more shallow drop. That's where Bontrager bars may come into the picture.