Why do people ride racing (road) bikes?
I don’t like cycling (because I live in a big city) but I like treadmills. I have one in a garage because it takes many places but it’s not a big deal. Since I bought a new dirt bike stand lift I made some room there. Stationary bikes are considered good things too but I just don’t like them.
The answer surprises most who don’t ride long distance – they are more comfortable. The purpose of down-swept handlebars is to provide a variety of hand positions. A properly set up racing bike distributes body weight. About 1/3 is on your butt, 1/3 on your feet and 1/3 on your hands. In a traditional “comfort” bicycle, almost all of the weight is on your butt, which is why it gets sore quickly. The setup on a road bike is different for distance versus racing. Racers crouch over much more to lessen wind resistance, but it is a less comfortable position.
