i was just look for a more comfortable ride.. since my commute is 30 miles and i do it 5 days a week.. id say 80% are fairly smooth roads with very little traffic since its a residencial area. the other 20% is higher traffic. i dunno how much more comfortable bars ends would make it and you still have to take your hands off of them to get to the breaks just like the tri bars. as far as shiftin i accually really never shift till i hit the end of my commute where theres a few hills and thats maybe a mile.