Back to your bar being lower than on you other bike, check out this accessory that will do the trick.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/....cfm?SKU=12679

I'm on a new race bike and the bars are 4.5 inches lower than the seat. Cringe! At my tender age of 52, that's too low. I've ordered one of the Delta stem risers and can't wait to get comfortable on my new bike.

Maybe this will help.