Hanlbars & Hoods
 

I just changed out my stem and got some new tape for my bars.....I have these ITM silly flat top bars I hate them but will not spend $100 for new so I am stuck......I need to know whatis the preferred location of the flat part of the bars....what angle is appropriate....I need to adjust hoods a bit so not sure of the proper placement of each....never really liked where they were stock

I have FSA's "Wing" bars on a couple of bikes and I have the angled up from horizontal slightly in front. They are set so the palms of my hands are flat on them in my normal riding position when I'm on the bar tops.

The most common / ergonomic way to go is to line up the flats(top) of the bars with the flats of the hoods as much as possible, yielding a large flat zone for the hands. This zone should be close to level with the ground (some like it slighlty up). If you have to rotate the bars back farther than 5-10 degrees or so, your reach is too long and a shorter stem should rectify it - if this is an option.

Something like this:
http://bicyclelab.com/wp-content/upl...01-22_1707.png

Here some more info on FSA wing handlebars (I couldn't find much for ITM but the setup should be transferable. First FSA setup on their wing handlebar.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=286752

Next is a phot of a handlebar setup I would say is incorrect.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=286751

I would rotate the handlebar more forward and the levers back so the flat of the bar and levers is one continuous plane. However the key is what works for you, but this is a good place to start..