Recreational & Family - Handlebar position for hybrid?

Hi all, I'm another newbie who's been enjoying reading archives, and I'm ready to take the plunge.
I've been riding a used Haro Del Sol for a few years, and have just ordered a Raleigh Passage 4.0. It has an adjustable handlebar. I was thinking that it might be nice to move the position forward a little (more like a C500 or a Trek FX series) in order to get a little lower. Is there a benefit to that? The lbs guy doesn't recommend doing that. Maybe bar ends positioned forward would help...
What's your experience with this issue? Any help would be appreciated!

Handlebar position is a matter of personal preference. I suggest you change it and see if you like it. It may be that you pay your LBS guy twice to make a change, but education is rarely free. You may also find that your preferences change over time and mileage. For example, I really like my vintage cruiser where I sit up tall and whatnot for a quick spin around the neighborhood, but prefer the bike I commute on if there's going to be any need for a little speed or hills involved.

my best suggestion is to buy the right sized allen wrench to adjust the handlebars yourself. ride in different positions and see what feels best to you.

i am currently making adjustments on my own bike -- a gary fisher nirvana s. i've had the bike a little more than two weeks and i have changed positions at least a half dozen times already -- today being the most recent. i added bar ends last week and really like the fact that i can change hand positions on longer rides.

as has already been stated, it all comes down to a personal preference. the more you ride the more clearly that preference will be defined.

*sdr*

I second the motion for allen wrenches. They're value is incalculable. I took my bike back to the LBS for a tune-up (first one was free) and had to re-adjust the seat and handlebars when they were done.

There's no harm in moving the bars around, checking the fit. Moving them forward will put you in a more aggressive geometry, more weight on your hands and shoulders. Depending on your fitness level, you may not be able to ride as far as before, at least at first.

I carry a spare tube, tire patches, tire wrenches, and the most necessary allen wrenches in a pouch behind the saddle. I also carry a small pump next to the bottle cage. The tools and the tube have come in very handy and I've also been able to help others out.

Thanks for the help! Armed with my allen wrench, I rode 40 miles this morning. I made 3 adjustments, and for now they're where I like them. I sure am enjoying my Raleigh Passage 4.0! :D

Update:
I've moved my bar ends 5 times in 3 rides on my new bike. My favorite so far is directly underneath the regular handlebars, kind of like drop bars on a road bike. It makes my legs support my body, and I can really get some (relative) speed in that position! Lots of fun!

Bar ends are nice on hybrid handlebars as they give you more places to put your hands, thus relieving stress on them. Very helpful when going up long hills; you can use them to "pull" yourself up the hill.

A lot of hybrid and small MTBs I've noticed have the handlebars set to high causing the hips to rotate back and load the lower back, it also interferes with pedalling efficiency and makes the ride a lot less enjoyable.

A good rule of thumb when adjusting for yourself is to keep the hand position below the level of your hips, though if your to stretched you will still have problems.

I recently adjusted my (short)wifes MTB bars to an acceptable height using a short road stem and flat MTB bars taking approx. 3" off the height, she couldn't believe how much difference it made to the ride which she now enjoys.

[QUOTE=bikejack]A lot of hybrid and small MTBs I've noticed have the handlebars set to high causing the hips to rotate back and load the lower back, it also interferes with pedalling efficiency and makes the ride a lot less enjoyable.

A good rule of thumb when adjusting for yourself is to keep the hand position below the level of your hips, though if your to stretched you will still have problems. QUOTE]

I'm with you 100% on that one. I get a lot of strange looks and comments regarding my bar position (moved the adjustable bar forward and down, and bar ends underneath) but it really is much more efficient, thus making the ride more enjoyable. I still see most hybrids with their bar ends wayyyy too high for my liking. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. :)