I would like to know if any readers have had experience elliminating discomfort caused by having the wrong handle bars.

My Trek 7500 came with slightly raised handle bars for a more comfort/touring ride. I like to be down a little lower and aesthetically prefer straight bars, so I switched them out. The new bar is straight but for a very slight angling back. I also put on bar-ends.

It is uncomfortable. My hands rest on the bar in a way that causes them to turn in towards each other like duck feet (no offence to any ducks on the forum) and roll outward so that most of the pressure is on the outside edge of my hands. After even a short ride my right hand hurts like I've "pinched" a nerve. I notice that my shoulders and neck are also sore. This soreness could be because of riding in the cold or because of the effect of low tempurature on my front suspension.

It could also be that my hands are now too close together. The new bar is slightly shorter than the old, the bar-ends take off a little more, and keeping the outside of my hand from rubbing on the (cold!) bar ends means coming in a little further still. Perhaps that is my only problem, but I would welcome any other feed back.

thanks