Chopping without flopping

Buffalo Bill I use the hooks all the time. My stem is 6.5 cms below my saddle, and I use shallow drops, putting the bottom of the bars around 8" below my saddle (on all my bikes!).

12" sounds a little steep, but it kind of depends on how flexible your hip/lumbar region is, and how long your upper arms are.

roughly this, bend over and touch your toes

saddle = stem can't touch toes
fingers to floor 5-10cm drop saddle to stem
palm to floor 10-15 cm

I can press my fingers and thumbs to the floor but not my palms