I think most people want 20"+ bar without knowing too much about saws. My 028AV Super w/24" bar was used by a pro logger as limbing saw. Light weight, high rpm, and reach of 24" which was perfect for large pacific northwest Doug Firs. But for your average homeowner that cuts firewood and cleaning up down trees from the winter, the long bar will handicap the saw. Yea, I like the look of 24" bar on my saw and strokes my ego too (I like the look of it and proud showing it off!). But let me tell you, 16" is a joy to use. It's agile, can use it for longer periods, drop starting is lot safer, saw seats on powerhead, and better balance, thus more control. Oh by the way, you can down some big ones if you know how to plunge cut. I guess bottom line is, it's your saw so you can put whatever lenght you want... I was looking at it from practical point of the user and what's best for the saw base on maintaining my 2.5 acres for the past 4 years. Just remember, chainsaw is not a pruning shears, nor headge trimmer.