Originally Posted by CBBaron
What I've learned:
I want bars that are parallel to the direction of travel not perpendicular.
I like my hand position to be low but not racing drop bar low.
I like a fairly wide handle bar for commuting.
This means I like wide drop bars on riser stems or moustache bars. Flat or riser bars are uncomfortable.
I prefer to be fairly stretched out on my bike so I tend to go up a size. If I can stand over the top tube its not too big.
Brooks saddles and fat tires make the ride much more comfortable.
Double wrapping the handle bars with padded tape makes the bars too thick even for my large hands.
Craig
+1 to all of the above. I ride two vinatge road bikes adapted for commuting. I am 6'1" with a 32 inch inseam and I ride a 59cm Schwinn World Voyageur and 61cm Trek 710. Both bikes have 700cc wheels, 44cm & moustache style bars, 32mm tires and Brooks Saddles (one sprung the other unsprung.) Riding larger framed bikes is more comfortable in my experience.