I haven't read the other thread, sorry if I cover any already treaded ground.
Personally I prefer aggressive geometry and more of the trail/AM feeling on the bike. For my version of XC hardtail I will typically drop the bars until I reach a point where it is harder to pull the front end up. Mind you, keep it so you can still get the front wheel up in a pinch when you hit a log drop or come to a trail obstacle. For you, the lowest you can get without turning the bike into a freak show is a -5 to -10 degree stem and flat bars. I would start by getting the flat bars and see where that gets you.
At the balance point even that last 5mm spacer can make a difference. Oh, and fork sag of course. If you have the fork riding firm like an xc setup it will be taller in the front than if you are running 25-30% sag.
Personally I prefer aggressive geometry and more of the trail/AM feeling on the bike. For my version of XC hardtail I will typically drop the bars until I reach a point where it is harder to pull the front end up. Mind you, keep it so you can still get the front wheel up in a pinch when you hit a log drop or come to a trail obstacle. For you, the lowest you can get without turning the bike into a freak show is a -5 to -10 degree stem and flat bars. I would start by getting the flat bars and see where that gets you.
At the balance point even that last 5mm spacer can make a difference. Oh, and fork sag of course. If you have the fork riding firm like an xc setup it will be taller in the front than if you are running 25-30% sag.
