Fordad

Hello all,

I have a Trek 730 Multi-Track with riser handle bars and twist grip gear shifters (it's a 14-speed). Last month I completed my first multi-day ride, averaging just under 100 miles a day for 3 days and my hands and fingers are still somewhat numb from the lack of hand positions. My question is: What are my options for switching handlebars, gear shifters and brakes so that I can score some new hand positions? I was thinking trying some bullhorn handle bars with stem mounted gear shifters or downtube, though I am a novice and maybe that is completely unrealistic. I'd like to stay away from drop handle bars as I don't like to be too horizontal. Thanks for the help!

tyrion

These Jones Loop bars will give you more hand positions. If you have a quill stem on your bike, you'll need a threadless stem adapter and a threadless stem, but I think you can keep your current brake levers and shifters.

Mogens

You could mount a drop bar on a Nitto Tallux stem, which will help get them quite high. Drop bars will have the most hand positions. They may take getting used to, but there’s a reason they have persisted as a design. As far as shifters go, try some bar ends.

Retro Grouch 

What's your budget?

Everything on a bicycle works together so changing any component tends to require changing other components. Shifters, by the way, tend to be the priciest component to change.

I'm not a fan of stem shifters because using them forces you to sit up every time that you shift. Mountain bike bar ends will give you the extra hand position that you're looking for, but they stick out to the side and look goofy on riser bars. Road bike drop bars with brake/shifter controls would be a stylish but expensive option.

I'm thinking the most cost effective option would be a relatively straight mountain bike bar (no rise) with bar ends. If you are happy with the shifters you have now, everything else will bolt right up and work together.

Craptacular8

You'd still be able to use your twist shifters on most alt flat bars. Could go with a trekking bar. Actually, going to Whatbars.com will allow you to overlay various bars onto one another to see if you see something that strikes your fancy. Could also try moloko bars (Surly) or Koga Denham. for more positions. I just put some FSA Metropolis bars on a mixtie road bike frame that I built up with new parts. Jury is still out if the sweep of the metropolis is the bees knees. I have a riser bar on one mountain bike, and Salsa Bend 2 bars on my fat bike. I know I'm looking for a bit more sweep, but am not sure I've found the "sweet" spot is yet in that regard.

jpescatore

My wife's Specialized hybrid bike came with twist shifters. She developed arthritis in her hands and couldn't work them - a local bike shop switched them over to "pistol grip" shifters, solved her problem.

ARider2

If you stay with a flat bar set up you can keep the twist shifters or change to trigger shifters. To alleviate numbness in your hands you might add some bar ends so that you can change the position of your hands from the handlebars to the bar ends from time to time on long rides. You should also consider using grips found on comfort bikes that are oval shaped and have the flat part to rest the palm of your hand rather than typical round shaped ones found on most mountain bikes (Ergon makes some nice ones). Finally, you might experiment with different gloves. Here are some photos to illustrate:

Bar ends with trigger shifters:



Bar ends with twist shifters:





Comfort style hand grips:



Ergon also makes a comfort grip with a bar end: