Originally Posted by alanbikehouston
Nor was the "ultra-low" bar position the preferred position for pro riders during most of the past century. I am looking at pg. 43 of Lazell's "The Illustrated History of the Tour de France". Coppi riding with the back of his hands about as high as the nose of his saddle. And, Bartali on page 44. And, Bobet and Gaul on pg. 52
Merckx makes the same "mistake" in the 1975 tour, as shown on pg. 94. His hands are high, positioned on each side of the stem. The backs of his hands are almost level with the nose of his saddle. How did this dummy ever win a race?
The photos in Lazell's book show that from 1947 to 1985, riders in the Tour de France who rode with their hands "high" on the bars outnumbered the riders with their hands on the drops by at least six to one. And, about half of the few riders shown using the "low" position were in the midst of a time trial, or in a finish line sprint...the low "drops" position was not the "norm" for the duration of a day-long road stage.
I do not have the book that you mention so I cannot comment on photos that I have not seen. I can however state that most photos that you will find are taken on climbs as this is where the most dramatic photos are available and where the speeds are lower, hence permitting better resolution. This is also when more riders will use the tops or upper positions (hence the photos of Coppi, Bartali, Gaul, Bobet, Merckx's position that you mention). I base my observations on what I have personally seen. I have been to almost all the more important bicycle museums in Italy as well as ridden along in team cars in both Tour de France and Giro d'Italia stages. My observations are based upon what I saw in reality, not books which do not necessarily show the context of what you see.
I can state the following: Alfredo Binda's Legnano, as displayed in the Binda museum and used to win the 1927 world championship has the saddle about 1 1/2" above the bars. Learco Guerra's Maino, as displayed in the Learco Guerra museum and used in winning the 1931 world championships has the saddle about 2 1/2" above the bars. The 1932 Binda world championship Legnano bike, also shown at the Binda Museum is also at about 1 1/2" above the bars. Gino Bartali's Legnano, used in his 1938 Tour de France win and now owned by Filippo Gnech has the saddle about 2" above the bars. Fausto Coppi's Legnano track bike, used in his 1942 hour record, also in the hands of Filippo Gnech, have the saddle about 4" above the bars. It should also be noted that Coppi's bars have a very big drop. Moving to the Madonna del Ghisallo chapel, you can see the 1949 Coppi Tour winning Bianchi and the saddle is about 2 1/2" above the bars; you can also see Fiorenzo Magni's 1949 Wilier Triestina and see that it too has about 2 1/2" in drop from the saddle to the bars (Magni is the one who looks after the Madonna del Ghisallo bicycle collection and is overseeing the construction of the bike museum being built there today!). In the Imola "museo degli Aregai" you can see the Umberto Dei track bike used by Antonio Maspes in 1958 with its saddle at least 4" above the bars. In the Tino Sana museum in Almenno you can see the Magni bike used by Gimondi to win the 1965 Tour de France, as well as his Bianchi used in his 1976 Giro win, both with their 4" drop from saddle to bars. Merckx's Mexico record bike has been seen throughout the world with its 4" drop... I could go on but if these bikes are not enough to prove my point, nothing will convince you.