OakLeaf, like you, I ride on hoods a lot but I really like drops, especially outside the city and if I'm honest, would probably use them more if the reach for the brakes was really easy. But hoods when I'm tired , which goes back to pll's point re surface area and comfort. It seems there are bars with different top/drop widths to accommodate this though.

Emily, things I may want to mount on the bars didn't even occur to me. I just have a light, but a GPS is definitely a possibility if I can work out which one stores routes/how to do it.

Knotted, thank you! I've done the measurement and my neutral position is not 36cm, but a shade under 34cm? Can this be? My head now hurts but I'm glad I've learnt this given its importance. This will be my starting point for the decision. Thank goodness the bike is only due mid-Sept.

Ladies, thank you for your valuable insights. You've made me realise that over the years, I've got used to my bikes the way they were set up for me without giving things much thought apart from saddles. I've been commuting since the early 90s but really got interested in cycling about 6 yrs ago. My bikes were bought around that time and I relied heavily on the advice of shops I used, which were independent and reputable. I was also fitted for the tourer. I haven't ridden other bikes since. Hence the one dimensional approach to handlebars and no doubt a whole lot of other things. I have a lot of food for thought. TE is a great forum.

Btw roo4, you made me laugh. Happened to me too when I was a lot younger but I was daft enough to buy it.