In the pursuit of getting the transition from top of bar to the brake hoods "just right" I believe it became common to want the top of the brake / shift lever hoods to be level with the top of the handlebar instead of having the hoods lower. To get them level on many handlebars this meant one had to rotate the bars up and / or mount the levers higher up on front curve of the bar. Neither of these solutions is ideal for the reasons you mentioned in the original post so handlebar manufacturers responded with bars made to have a level transition plus have good hand positions and good access to the levers no matter whether one is in the drops or where.

The Deda 215 was one of the first bars to make for this sort of transition for Campagnolo brifters. The Deda Newton did it in for the larger clamp diameter 31.7. Both of these bars were made for the Campagnolo hood shape. They also now make a lever that is especially made for the shape of Shimano hoods (Deda Elementi Supernatural). Competitive Cyclist has good descriptions and explanations of these features of the Deda bars.

Check out this link and choose Deda on the right and read about them.
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/ro...lebars.28.html

The 2009 Campagnolo hoods change toward the Shimano shape and the 2009 Shimano Dura-Ace hoods change towards the Campagnolo shape, so the quest continues to find the best hood shape and best transition to the handlebar.

Bloomington, IN