But what's the reasoning for all this? A more stretched out position is better for racing on downhills b/c of the air resistence, but a shorter top tube allows a rider to get more responsive handling, right? Does a shorter length also allow for better leverage when pedalling, esp. uphill? Track cycles have the tight geometry--is this simply for getting around the bends as quickly as possible? Doesn't the track cyclist give up something in air resistence?

What about the "ideal cyclist" or the "racer's" physique? Has that changed over time?