Things that should have been obvious, but I've recently discovered

[OakLeaf]

So ...anyway... am I wrong in thinking that the depth and reach of the bars has nearly nothing to do with the ability to brake from the hooks, and that it has much more to do with the *shape* of the bars, particularly how sharp or how gradual the transition, as well as with where the levers are positioned on that transition?


(and another point of terminology that I don't know - what does one call the part of the bars between the tops and the hoods, the part that's basically nonexistent on short reach bars but can be very roomy longer and on old-fashioned bars?)

[Crankin]

I also call all of it "the drops." I have the exact same set up as Oak on my Kuota, and I can pretty much squeeze the levers from almost anywhere on the drops, my bars are so short and shallow. I really think it's this that is the determining factor, although I do need the short reach brifters. Case in point, on my other bike, I have the newer version of the R700s. They are about 2mm longer in reach, which really pissed me off, but even more important, the fancy bars that my shop put on are not as short and shallow. I have to be deep in the hooks to brake from there. I keep saying I am going to get different bars, but I've been lazy. I like the feeling of being really close and almost scrunched to my bars on my other bike. I have smallish hands with long fingers, so I am not one with super tiny hands, but more, overall petite stature. I have to wear size medium women's gloves, for reference.

[antimony]

So ...anyway... am I wrong in thinking that the depth and reach of the bars has nearly nothing to do with the ability to brake from the hooks, and that it has much more to do with the *shape* of the bars, particularly how sharp or how gradual the transition, as well as with where the levers are positioned on that transition?

(and another point of terminology that I don't know - what does one call the part of the bars between the tops and the hoods, the part that's basically nonexistent on short reach bars but can be very roomy longer and on old-fashioned bars?)

I agree with your first part completely, and as to the second, I've heard them called "ramps". (Love my old-fashioned bars with big roomy ones -- Velo Orange Grand Cru Course.) I do call all of the lower part of the bar "the drops", though.