I like different bars for different purposes. For OP's current situation, I think upright bars are the way to go. Each of my bikes has a different type of handlebars based on my preference for its use. I have drops (though set very high and close) to give lots of positions on my rigid frame MTB all-road bike that I use for longer rides. My commuter has Wald 867 cruiser bars for a comfortable wrist position and being upright in traffic. My fixed gear has bullhorns which work well for standing and mashing on climbs. My folder has flat bars for a compact fold and good enough for short distances. Like [MENTION=424205]Salamandrine[/MENTION], I prefer a slight downward angle to my risers. I find it puts my wrist at a more natural angle. I do similar for bullhorns and the brake hoods on my drops.

After some neck fatigue on longer rides with drops (described in this thread), I have been experimenting with my commuter by adding bar ends from my parts bin to the risers (inspired by VO crazy bars and to a lesser extent Jones). This allows me three very different positions that are all pretty comfortable: conventional upright on the grips, stretched out a bit on the bar ends, and a quasi-aero-bar resting my forearms on the grips and my hands on the tips of the bar ends. I love it so far for commuting, especially fighting a fierce headwind yesterday. I'm tempted to try it for longer distances just for fun. I suspect my neck fatigue on the drops will go away with better prep and training for future distance rides but it is still fun to experiment especially since it didn't cost me anything but a little time...

I find it funny that there are such strong opinions both for and against drops, but at least we can all agree the steeply upward angled cruiser bars like [MENTION=363967]Cute Boy Horse[/MENTION] posted are ridiculous I've seen cruisers with bars like that but never seen anyone riding them...



Commuter


Commuter


All-road


All-road


Fixed gear