Touring - Trek 520 handle bar question

What other type of handle bars could a person use on this bike to set more up right ?

Hi,
you can raise the stem. Or buy a shorter stem. Or get a shorter and steeper stem. Or all of the above.

What he said...but be sure you really want to be that upright. I'd avoid the temptation to go to flat bars or mtb bars except as a last resort, for the same reason I never recommend that people buy hybrids or "comfort" bikes. It took me a while to adjust to the drop bars on my bike, even though it's designed to carry the bars at roughly seat level. But now I wouldn't have it any other way.

Yes, stem change or simply raising the stem are your most practical solutions.

As the others have pointed out, make slow changes. My 520 came with a stem that held the handlebar a little too low, and couldn't be flipped for more height. I switched to a more upright stem of the same length. After a year of that I switched over to flat bars with extension.

I found the wider grip of flat bars, along with the wrist angle of extensions, to give me a level of comfort I could not achieve with drops. The handlebars are about 22" edge to edge, and the handlebar rests at about the height of the saddle. When I grip the bars near the brake levers I am leaning forward at a comfortabgle angle, and when I grip the extensions I'm a litte more upright and good for cruising. Also a good place to grip when climbing out of the saddle.

I also found that I had greater hand comfort if I either slip mtb grips or padded tape over the extensions.

But the key is to find what works for you. Most people can conform to the mass market touring bike offerings, like the 520, with a little adjustment, but we aren't all the same. This setup works for my physical needs and style of riding.

Here are a couple shots of my 520. Maybe Fixer can post a shot of his bike with the mustache bar.

Be prepared to give up some power and endurance if you go that route. I have three Treks in various configurations (actually four, if you count the Klein) and find the traditional road bars more efficient and more comfortable on longer rides, than flat bars. As much as I love bombing around on my hybrid, after an hour or so you realize it is a lot more work pedaling from a flat bar position, and even worse going into the wind. It seems that the position with roadbars uses the other muscles more (back, arms, etc). That said, I kind of like the bar-ends that Brad has on his flat bars setup - I would bet they had some power to the equation. I wouldn't be without 'em on my mtn bike, maybe I'll try a set on the hybrid..