Originally Posted by
canyoneagle
It sounds like frame size and saddle height/angle have been sorted.
How about forward reach? The length of the stem and the elevation of the handlebars in relation to the saddle will make a tremendous difference on the positon, and will influence how much weight is on your hands.
+1.
Gloves, bar ends, etc. all good for symptomatic treatments, but cut to the root cause -- likely that height and/or reach of the bars is at issue in concert with the seat position stuff you've been playing with.
I'd also suggest looking at seat fore/aft, too. Not just height / tilt in the "got my seat adjusted" presumption.
I don't think drop bars is a promising plan here. They provide more positions but the extras tend to have more weight on hands, all other things being equal. You very well may get a well set up drop bar bike that is super comfortable, but that's the fit not the style speaking.
Honestly, if I don't have a little weight on my hands then my butt gets sore after a while. I don't agree with the "gently rest on the handlebar" advice. That presumes a beach cruiser-ish set up, upright and maybe a sprung seat. Plenty of MTB set ups are dependent on some weight being carried on the hands.
I don't think you need more opinions. You need one bike shop with a fit person to help you set up your bike, and work through it with them. Some trial and error is essential. Quite possible there are 3 or 4 things wrong here. There isn't one magic pill.