Touring, Handlebars, and Compatibility!!!
 

Hey all,
In preparation for a tour from Denver to Philadelphia this April, I'm looking to upgrade my handlebars. I ride a hybrid, and my current handlebars are the flat, mountain variety. I already ordered all the parts for a drop handlebar setup(including new cables and STIs) but recently discovered that STIs don't always synch with front hybrid derailleurs. So my first question is: does anybody know anything else about this incompatibility issue? And my second question is: what's the word on Euro or Trek bars? They look tempting (lots of space to mount all my gizmos) but I'm worried about the comfort factor. Last year I did a tour from Portland, Oregon to Walden, Colorado, with just bar ends and the mustache bar, and at times it was a little painful. Which is better--Treks or drops?
Your suggestions are more than welcome!!!

Trekking bars: figure 8 like bend, 1" center clamp, 7/8" tube .
Drop bars:, rams horn bend , 26mm center, 15/16" tube ..
position change near and far , versus up and down
control levers for 7/8 tube won't fit a 15/16" one..
there are shims to reduce down 'road' Stems from 26mm to 25.4mm,
but not the opposite.

I have trekking bars on my 2 most used bikes..
which happen to have a grip-shift that only fits the 22.2 tube..

how you detail the fit is more than just throwing a different handle bar on.
perhaps reach and height are not well considered..
and the different bar is going to need a whole different set-up.

I have a Randonneur bar , a particular bend of drop bars. and the way I set them up
took a years of riding , adjustments thinking and redesign to sort out..
then some of the pieces .. 'off the front' grip shapes
i used multiple sets to make a round bar wider and flattish surface..
they went out of biz.

if you want an easy alteration, Ergon GC3 integrates a broad flattish grip
and bar-end to work seamlessly together.. both well designed.

This is pretty much what I'm running - Ergon GC3's almost horizontal with the barends taped over and the flat handlebar cut down to shoulder width. Gives a similar range of positions as a drop bar minus the drops - and I personally prefer it.

An added plus is you get to keep the mtb shifters and brake kevers and get a crash bar to protect them.

If you go with Trekking bars and grip shifters you'll have a good combination. pleanty of room for accessories and more hand placement areas. Just watch what kind of bar bag (if any) you use, you might not have a lot of room witha big bag. I use the Topeak mid size and it fits well.

I wouldn't clutter up the bar with gadgets, myself... stack threadless stems,
put a couple things there on the lower bar and stem, with the handle bar bag mount.
leave a lot of gadgets at home..

jeremytucker99, If you're going to try the trekking bars, I suggest you install them well before your tour just to make sure you like them. Nashbar has an inexpensive set to test.

Brad