Originally Posted by thdave
Very handsome bike!
I don't get why riding on the hoods would be better on your hands than flat bars. It seems like it's the same thing, isn't it?
CBBaron got it right.
Think of how you hold your hand when shaking hands or when your arms are hanging down at your sides. Now stick your hand out and turn it 90 degrees to the flat bar position. See the difference? The twist sets up your carpal tunnel for pressure damage. This is why typists get carpal tunnel syndrome. Ergonomic keyboards slope radically down from the middle to give a more relaxed wrist position.
If flat bars would angle down at about 30 degrees and angle back at the same time they would be far more comfortable.