i say, go with risers, or put some tape on those bars. you tend to have to grip a lot tighter on bare metal, which could be leading to the pain in your forearms. you could try getting some gloves with the little gripper nubblies on them (sealskins goves have them). or just suck it up and tape up your bars so you'll have a little more traction/friction where you're hands are, so you won't grip too tight to avoid slippage.

i think i may have had the same problem when i first put drop bars on my fixed conversion, i didn't have tape or grips or anything and it was honestly the dumbest thing i could've done with regard to handlebars, especially in boston where winter actually exists. bare metal on gloves, of any kind will freeze your hands real quick. but i also had to grip a lot tighter to keep from slipping around. riser bars are a lot more comfortable, and the grips are much thicker, which provides a bit more insulation from the cold, cold metal in winter, than say, the 1-2mm of keirin grip.

so what i'm saying here is: get some bar tape, or push some keirin grips all the way up to the stem like i have on my cinellis. i know where you can get some strong-G keirin grips in the easy bay at a super reasonable price, and the guy has 'em in all colors. and it's right downtown. just around the corner (on milvia) from that thai place we met up at yesterday.

...or, give into your hate, strike down the keirin grips and track bars and take your place at my side. together we can rule the galaxy, riser bars and all!!!! seriously, riser bars rock harder than you could ever imagine.