Why so many headset spacers on some expedition bicycles? I've been looking at expedition bikes and I've noticed on some bikes I've seen that they have a lot of headset spacers such as http://www.oxfordbikeworks.co.uk/models/overview/ and thorn cycles in particular. Why is that?
Having received an answer from Oxford:


  As regards spacers, cycle tourists want/need a low stand over height,
  so that their bikes handle nicely and so that they can stop easily and
  grip their bike between their thighs when fully loaded. However, many
  cycle tourists want a head-up relatively high front end so that they
  can see into the middle distance without getting a stiff neck. For
  those cyclists who come from a road/700c background, they typically
  want a lower handlebar setting at the front, so the number of spacers
  is less, so generally its not an issue.