Among the early strong advocates of dropbars (flared of course) on mtb nebst Cunningham/Potts/Nicol Ibis & Wtb there actually was Bridgestone and Salsa of course.. some more info on G.Petersen´s influence here from the catalogs -> # classic Off/Road DROPS ( American Aerodynamic Aluminum & Steel - A research!) https://fotos.mtb-news.de/s/92009