Originally Posted by archermd
what are "posers"
i've seen that term several times
still lost and can't decide about the bars
ugh again
Ride. Ride. Ride. Put at least 50-100 miles on it. Then decide on the handlebars. The bars are cheap on the whole continuum of parts to get, you're looking at $25-40 for a decent one and then *maybe* $20 for your lbs to change them. That's if you're uncomfortable. I'll make a prediction - starting off you'll probably want to be more upright and as you gain strength gradually be more over. Make sure that the stem can accomodate that change - something to ask the lbs.
There's a really unfortunate part of this whole biking thing which has been said here a few times - you won't know that you need until YOU actually start riding. What type of bike? Ride a few. Bars? Ride some more. Yeah, you may spend some money on stuff you may not use. But then you'll know if/when you get another one.
I know now off the bat when I do get another road bike I will start off with these trekking bars. I really love them and solves a lot of issues I've had with my wrists on both my mtb and this road bike. So that was my lesson. I wound up paying $40 for the set of al drop bars that will probably go up on ebay or something.