I have heard all the complaints about cruiser bars. Too close, too far apart, and I don't like how it feels. All valid complaints I feel but almost all can be remedied with a few simple adjustments. People transitioning from road or mountain are used to having their hands even with the stem so as a result the bars always feel too close and this is something people generally get used to. Once you've ridden a cruiser for a while you wouldn't have it any other way. Seat height, your height, stem height, and bar angle all can make for an uncomfortable ride. If you are low in the saddle and your bars are flat then your wrists bend at a unnatural angle often just angling the bars down so your wrist is straighter helps a bunch. Having the seat at the proper height helps improve the angle. Sometimes to do this you need to max out your stem to maintain proper height and for tall riders I have even installed a stem extension to get the bar up higher. Here on the West Coast, guys like to point their bar ends straight up in the sky and the seat slammed as a fashion statement I suppose or that's what's comfortable to them. Try any bar/stem combo you want there is no right or wrong just personal taste but do try to experiment with what you have because I've had many an Electra and the bars are unique and super comfy for me.