I was speaking to Wayne at the touring store about trouble I was having installing a largish handlebar bag, and he feels that the drop bars I have are probably too narrow for me. (He did not suggest a new set of bars just to install a bag.)

I have been considering switching to moustache bars, but that would probably require new shifters and levers. Slightly wider bars might alleviate that problem as well as allowing me to install a decent-sized handlebar bag.

The drop bars on Hildy (my Novara Randonee) The bars are 17" wide (outside dimension). The bike is a 47cm frame. I'm a short guy, but stocky.

Another problem is the cable; they're routed in an odd way, sticking out from the STI levers at a 90 degree angle pointed inward. Is it me, or is this not the smartest way to route cables on a touring bike? Here's what they look like:



So, here's my plan:

• Swap out the stock handlebars for wider ones
• Angle the bars (with the front of the bars higher, perhaps 5 degrees or so) and raise them a touch
• New bar tape with padding, the tape I have is too thin
• Reroute the cables inward, maybe by using metal noodles

I'd appreciate any feedback before I bring it into the shop with a laundry list of modifications. Does this make sense, or will I make things worse?