Something to think about....chances are that if you going to need to use the break it is going to be in those "oh sh*t" moments. When those happen, stability is key. You will be able to retain much more stability if your hands are a bit further out from the stem. The faster you are going, and the harder you brake, the more stability is reduced with your hands close to the stem.
Last edited by sedition; 10-07-08 at 07:24 AM.