I couldnt stand it any more - the drop bars had to go from my new Lemond Alpe d´Huez (bought in November). I tried but every time that I rode the bike even just looking at those nasty drop handlebars set my carpal tunnel syndrome off big time and I couldn´t feel my hands for days afterwards. I also didn´t like being so far from the brakes in traffic.

So after deep consideration I have ditched the drop bars and the nice shiny Ultegra STI shifters (sob) and fitted a Syntace Stratos 200 time trial bar with long rubber grips (to dampen the vibration) and Dura Ace SL-BS77 bar end shifters. I have also ordered the Salsa cyclocross brake levers but they havent arrived yet.

There is no going back now as the STI´s are up on ebay (though they have only got to 5 euros yet with about 3 days to go)

what do you guys think of this set up -any suggestions for improvements?