Well it took me long enough, but I finally bought a new SOMA frame (631 steel) and matching fork. I picked it up at my LBS yesterday. Real nice! I'm taking the parts off my Fuji Absolute and putting them on the new frame. I had planned to do the work myself, but I'm having 2nd thoughts. I'm thinking it would be better to take it back to the bike shop and, at least, let a pro assemble the fork/frame/headset combo. Anyway, here's my "situation." I'm 6ft 2 in. tall and prefer to ride upright. I want a handlebar with a 3.5 - 4 inch rise. That's right... that's the way I like it! I'm thinking that instead of getting the usual aluminum bar, I might go for a steel one... or maybe a chromoly one. I ride 20+ miles a day (but not that much in winter). I'm thinking that a steel handlebar might cut down on some of the vibration that causes my hands and wrist discomfort. Would that be a significant improvement over aluminum? I'd be willing to take on the extra weight... don't really think that should be a big factor. Anything else I should take into consideration?

Thanks
Johern

I think tire size and air pressure as well as grip choice will have a greater impact. So I would get what ever bars fit your style best.

Knowing something of their frames, given that it's 631, it could be the Smoothie ES (for caliper brakes) or the Double Cross for cantis? I'm very interested in them as I am a cheapskate and love nice framesets. Personally I don't know of any steel handlebars that are still made, but there's no reason that a thin walled, butted steel handlebar can't be a serious contender. Though I also think that the "shock absorbing" qualities of steel vs. other frame materials are oversold, I do think the idea of a steel handlebar utilizing some contemporary technology is a very interesting idea, tell us if you find one.

It's a Double Cross. I'm going to put direct pull brakes on it and 700-38 Conti tires... and the Sora parts form my Fuji. I don't need anything fancy for the kind of riding I do. I certainly, like the look of my Fuji, but it was really a stiff ride over a long haul, being all aluminum. I had thought about simply replacing the fork w/ a chromoly one, but it's "integrated" into the frame. I was told by the tech at my lbs that matching it to where it would look good might be a problem. Anyway, I'm pretty sure I saw some chromoly handlebars and even a steel one used on some BMX bikes. I'll be doing a more extensive search over the next few days and in the meantime maybe get some more input over here. Thanks for you interest!

Johern

Well, I'm replacing the 700-26 tires w/ 700-38's, so hopefully that will help. I'm fairly heavy (254 pounds of solid muscle so I do like my tires to be pretty much at the max. I'm open to recommendatios for super-good handlebar grips though.

Thanks
Johern

38 tyres are on the wide side. think about some 32mm touring tyres. I find that these have plenty of cushioning and they are standard fare on loaded road touring bikes.
The only steel drop bars you can get are for track racing. There is nothing wrong with Al, but consider some shaped for comfort as well as efficiency. 3TTT Morphe is a good bar for comfort.
Some decent bar tape can also help. You can double-wrap bars, or use an inner tube wrap. Padding can never make up for poor position but is useful if you ride a lot of rough roads.

Actually the 700-38 aren't much wider to the eye than the 700-26 I took off. The reason I went for a wider tire was because the thin ones were giving me flats. OTOH, my wide mountain bike tires hardly ever get flats. I haven't had a flat in 3 years of riding w/ them. So I got myself a couple of flat-resistant Conti; so far I'm pleased with the ride and haven't had any flats after a year commuting. Thanks of the reco (3TTT Morphe), but "no thanks" I'm not "into" drop bars. I like riser bars.