Originally Posted by Bikes-N-Drums

Even though I am interested in a new road bike I shall spare everyone the tired "which bike should I get?" threads. After all, mostly these companies all seem to put the same decorations on the same cookies and put their own brand name on it. I'll find the best fitting machine ultimately.

Manufacturers seem to have launched themselves a line of "relaxed geometry" road bikes and/or this principle is inherent to the tradename (Giant's OCR series comes to mind). I've heard a lot of rhetoric going around regarding the pros/cos of such bikes, standard geometry being "better" than the relaxed geometry or vice versa. Some of the stuff I hear floating around out there is "relaxed geometry is easier on your neck but will cost you speed", or "standard frames are better for tall people". Manufacturers claim the relaxed geometry allows a "more upright position for comfort" (basically). Although, the same companies make "comfort bikes" which are comfortable as long as your riding it to the end of the driveway to fetch the mail. .... So, relaxed geometry: a benefit? a hindrance? makes no difference at all? just a marketing scheme?