You know, that as everyone that has asked me questions about my bike
while I'm stopped at an intersection asks "Is it comfortable?" or
says "That looks uncomfortable" I have a Bentech SWB with USS.
I've ridden both OSS and USS bikes. I don't know if I'd call
one "better" than the other, they are different.
For a very relaxed riding position, it's hard to beat USS. Just
imagine sitting in a chair, reclining with your arms hanging loosely
at your sides. You can't really get more relaxed than that. Your
chest is open, which promotes good breathing. The view is
unobstructed by handlebars.
However, on a USS bike, it's difficult, if not impossible to get your
upper body involved in adding leverage to the pedals. You'll depend
more on your legs for climbing and bursts of power. Although you have
a panoramic view, you'll have to find a place to mount your
cyclocomputer, lights and other gadgets.
Steering control on a USS takes some getting used to. If you have a
remote setup, make sure that there's no slop in the linkage. If you
have direct steer USS (Like on the Vision series), you have to look
out for the tiller effect, which will change the steering feel.
You already know the advantages of OSS since you've ridden that kind
of bike before. With a SWB you'll have less arm room than on a CLWB,
unless you offset the stem riser.
For cruising around, USS is very comfortable. If I were to design a
bike for performance, I choose OSS, with a rigid riser (not flip-it)
so I could use it for leverage.
Jim