Originally Posted by
thdave
Interesting perspectives on comfort.
I think the road bike, which makes you reach more for the handlebars, lends itself to a more athletic posture and more muscular pedaling. But it does that while you're more bent over, which produces pressure points on the body. I think the comfort bike and moreso the Dutch style bikes posture is more natural, although it also has pressure points. I suspect the back and hand pain issue is different for everybody. I don't think you can say one bike posture leads to more issues than another.
This is from Donnamb, who I haven't seen post lately. Hope she's ok.
IMO, for riding around town for modest distances, the more upright posture is more comfortable and appropriate. That said, the more athletic road bike and even the mountain bike position is better suited for longer distances to get more power behind each stroke while reducing your wind exposure.
Pressure points? I agree that in that position your weight is borne by more parts of you body, - which I think is good. Each part bears less of the total pressure. I will stress again that drop bars on a bike alone doesn't make it a racing bike. Road bikes come in a number of different geometries.
I guess I don't know how you decide which position is more "natural" Here's a picture of people sitting on a floor. It's not the greatest pic and while some of the kids might be sitting up straight, many are resting on their elbows. Both adults seem to be using their arms to support their weight to some degree.
I guess as child I heard the admonishment "sit up straight" enough to think of "sitting up" more of as an idealised posture than a natural one.