(Oops, I meant to post this to the general forum. Mods can move it if they wish.)

I'm wondering whether there are any reasons not to put swept back bars -- albatross, North Roads or similar -- on this Globe Carmel comfort hybrid (compact frame, sloping down tube). I'm betting it would be more comfortable on days when back and neck pain would discourage me from riding at all, especially on my rigid fork mountain bike.

I resumed cycling in summer 2015 with this bike, after a 30-year hiatus. Back and neck injuries (including a permanently damaged C2) make it impractical and sometimes painfully uncomfortable to ride drops or even low flat bars. The flat bar pictured below are about as low as I can manage for rides up to 60 miles in a day (with occasional breaks to stretch and rest).

The Globe Carmel original came with slight riser bars, the type commonly found on mountain bikes. After a year back in the saddle I wanted to lower the bars a bit, but the long quill stem won't go any lower than shown in the photo (a bit lower will put the wedge in the sloped inner head tube section, not reliably secure). The quill stem is upright with no extension. It's a very strong four bolt clamp design, so a shim could be used if needed.

The black flat bar shown in the photo came from a 1992 Univega Via Carisma I bought in August 2016. The flat bar was too low and stretched out for comfort so I swapped with the Globe. The Globe's riser bar was perfect for the Univega, shortening the reach about an inch and placing the grips slightly above saddle height.

The Globe with the flat bar feels much livelier and more efficient when climbing hills. It's not uncomfortable. But after trying a friend's city bike fitted with an albatross bar I realized I could be even more comfortable without sacrificing much efficiency.

My friend rides a Gary Fisher Simple City 8 and Jamis Commuter 3, both originally equipped with riser bars similar to mine, but replaced with albatross bars. When I first rode with him I thought his riding position seemed inefficient. His arms are nearly fully extended, with the grips near thigh level and near the knees. But we've ridden together many times the past year and he consistently drops me on climbs, pushes me to my fitness limits (16 mph average) and looks incredibly relaxed the whole time.

I tried his bike Sunday and while the frame was too small and saddle too low, it gave me a very good impression of comfort and efficiency. On sprints and climbs the downward pressure on the pedals felt very well balanced against the normal grip on the handlebars -- better than my Globe Carmel with flat bars.

There was some toe overlap, probably due to the smaller frame and my fairly large feet. And I usually prefer platform pedals with my foot's arch centered over the pedal axle, rather than the ball of the foot centered over the axle. That wouldn't be a problem with my own bike.

I also noticed the albatross bars interfered with tight turns at slow speeds. Probably not a problem with normal cycling speeds. But I'm wondering whether I'd need to adapt to less aggressive slow speed turning maneuvers with albatross bars, and perhaps North Roads or similar bars with angled grips might be better.

My friend suggested my Univega Via Carisma with horizontal top tube might be a better candidate for albatross bars, but I'd rather leave that bike set up as it is now for days when my back and neck aren't bothering me. It feels great as-is on good days.

But making the comfort hybrid more comfortable? Seems like a win if the swept back bars are compatible.