I've just started riding again recently, and I'm finding some significant discomfort in my hands (mainly the fleshy bit at the base of the thumb, and the thumb itself). This occurs after even just five or six miles of riding.

I had flat bars (well, they had a very slight angle back to them) with bar ends, but changed them to trekking bars just like this guy has. I think, despite the lovely extra positions available, it's made things worse, because still almost all my riding is done where I can reach the brakes (i.e. the nearest bit to me - the tops if you will), and there is no angle to these at all.

I want to get some Ergon grips, because all accounts seem to suggest that they are great for the sort of discomfort I am getting.

I can return the trekking bars for a refund and simply use the 'flat' bar with the new grips, but I won't be able to fit the grips on the trekking bar (I measured it and there's not enough room with brakes and shifters on there to fit the grips in before the bend).

Here's my dilemma: I have a bike fit in a couple of days, and it would seem like a waste if I went through that before I was certain of the bars/grips I want.

So should I ditch the trekking bars and go back to flats with Ergon grips, or try to go through the fit with the trekking bars and then see if it makes the discomfort go away? Either way, if it doesn't work out I'll pretty much have to go through the fitting again. What do people think is the best way?

Also, if I get the Ergon grips, should I get the ones with bar ends on them (I can only get these through the mail, as no LBS has them near me, and only the ones with the little bar ends - the bottom ones in the link above) or use my old bar ends?

I really just want to be comfortable for my commute (full commute is >20 miles each way but I'm working up to that slowly) and some overnight trips. But I don't want to be a total wind magnet either though.

Am I hard to please or what??!!