i know only 2 kinds of bridges for that porpose: Tuno-O-Matic and fender strat-style.
with the fender you need more curving and hardware, and you don't really see the strings, but they are through the body.
the only bridge i can think of is tune-o-matic. as for brands, you have tons, in any price range. loved my gotoh on my SG-like guitar, loved even more the tone-pros on my new Schecter.
as for the optimal distance from the bridge, i don't really know, but i don't think its really matters as long as you don't bend the string too much. the factor of bridge hight is a subject to change, so i don't think there is an optimal distance.
you could either copy that distance from another guitar, or just do it as it seems right, then it probably will.
i don't really have a clue about it, but you can shorten the distance by putting the rullers in angle, so the string will go stright down, and there will be less interumpment in its way. the only thing you should comsider is to keep the string as straight as you can. the more it bends, greater the chance it will snap.