Posting here because not only are the bikes vintage, but also some of the riders. I'm 54 and the bike is a '68 U08 Peugeot.

After riding with the hot shots, I've recently dropped the handle bars about three to four inches below my seat height. I don't think I like it much. Not only do I bend down farther, but I also feel constricted at the hips.

My question: Is the geometry on these older bikes such that lower bar height does not work well, no matter how young or supple you are? I'm 6' 195 lbs. The frame is the HUGE size made in those days. Others have commented that the bikes of that era placed the rider behind the pedals and modern racing bikes center the rider more directly over the pedals. If this is so, the lower bars on an old style geometry bike would REQUIRE that the hips have a sharper angle to the pedals than todays bikes.

Any thoughts?

If this is too stupid, maybe someone could explain on a 6th grade level, what is meant by "relaxed" geometry. The hot shoes often comment on my bike after a test ride: "It's so comfortable, but a little flexible." I notice a different feel when I take a turn on their new tech bikes, but am not sure how to describe it.

Tyson