Originally Posted by
timtak
This 13,000 bike below however, looks to me like a Frankenbike. Why is their space between the drops and the front wheel?
Because it's a larger frame. That's at least a 56. Apples to apples, dude.
Using only bent elbows in the drops is possible but one nice comfortable fast position is semi arms resting on the drops. With this bike the only way to get low is to use bent arms into the hooks. The head tube is the same apparently, so perhaps all it needs (?) is some deeper handlebars but the forks look taller.
Their bent elbows in the drops are more aerodynamic than your straight arms. You're exposing most of your arm to the wind, while their forearm is directly in line with the drops and the brifters.