Well, I'm going to have to argue with Rob E. He doesn't seem very reliable to me. I don't think he knows what he's talking about. Ever.

Actually, I'll stand by what I said last July, mostly. I have never had the urge to put my flat bars back on to my hybrid, nor switch to drops. The trekking bars remain. But in the time that's passed since I wrote that, I've found myself relying more and more on another bike: a 30 year-old Sears bike with regular, old, swooped back, North Roads-style handlebars. The riding position on my Sears Tote-Cycle is very upright, and not at all speedy. It's definitely not for everyone, but somehow, in spite of only having one hand position, I find it more comfortable than just about anything else. When I road the hybrid with the trekking bars for a leisurely, round-about, ride home on Friday, I noticed some discomfort while riding and afterwards. I don't know how much of that I can blame on the bars. I think a lot may have to do with riding postion: semi-upright, not able to stretch out over the top tube, but neither able to sit back.

As I build up my Long Haul Trucker, I'm going to move the trekking bars over to start, but I hope to find something to aproximate my Tote-Cycle's bars while also giving me a more stretched out position for longer and/or windier rides. I'm looking at the Albatross or a mustache bar right now.

But not flats. I can see where they'd have some application in trail riding or anywhere that quick reactions and maneuverability are the biggest concerns, but for rides of any length and on anything close to roads in reasonable repair, I would find something else.