Braking is dictated by the course. (ask Chloe Dygert). I agree that a lot of triathlons that require effectively no bike handling skill really don't need much in the way of brakes. Unless you want to use your bike to train on a lot.

I tinker all the time with bar position. Why not? Doing your own A/B aero testing is *so* much easier with easy adjustments of the bars.