On 2017-07-04 16:33, John B. wrote:
On Tue, 04 Jul 2017 07:52:14 -0700, Joerg
wrote:

On 2017-07-04 04:05, John B. wrote:

I was looking at photos and you tube films of bicycle racing during
the 70's and 80's and it seems that the handle bars were at a very
different position then in more recent times.

Example: Eddie Marckx time trial 1974, note the downward twist of the
handle bars. with the brake levers mounted at almost the center of the
"U" bend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvJSB4gAq3o

During a race in 1977
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEAlxGC4Kzg

In 1987, still turned down
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwU7GXvbjlM

In 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eojc3AKSWGE

in 1994
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtBetiDPPfg

In 2001 what may be an intermediate position
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAqIVanqbuw

In 2007 note how much flatter the bars are with the brake levers fixed
almost as an extension of the top flat section of the bars.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbB2O0SmwJw

I am wondering. From the revival of bicycle racing in 1946 until the
very late 1990's or early 2000's, some 50 years, handle bar position
amongst the top riders was very similar with the top of the bars
turned down and the bottom "drops" nearly level and then it all
changed with the top section of the bars level, or nearly so and the
drops angled downward.

What happened? Did bicycle geometry suddenly change. Did bicycles get
better? Were handlebars suddenly a different shape?


Maybe riders complained of wrist pain? My bike from 1982 has the
downward drop up top like in your older links. I can't ride it on the
hoods for too long because then the wrists hurt from having to twist
them too far. Especially on rough roads or dirt/gravel roads.

But for almost fifty years, and maybe even longer (I didn't search for
pre-WW II photos) top riders used essentially the same style of bars,
and relatively suddenly they all seemed to have changed to a much
flatter setup.


It can take a long time to notice adverse health effects. For example,
computer mice were not very ergonomical until 10-15 years ago. And they
still sell the old style. Probably the industry didn't react until
enough people developed hardcore carpal tunnel problems.

I switched to a trackball within my first year because I thought this
can't be good.


Are bicycle riders somehow mentally deficient that it takes them 50
years to figure out why their wrists are getting sore?


Who knows :-)

It took the bicycle industry a whopping 100 years and they still haven't
figured out a good electrical system. Unless you build your own like I do.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/