I've happy with my new Raleigh Venture and it's comfortable for the short trips I take, but I can see how the flat bar and palm grips might cause or aggravate hand/wrist pain if I ever start riding longer distances or develop arthritis, carpal tunnel etc. I'm tempted to put an Albatross or Dutch-style handlebar on it -- something with a substantial amount of flat bar as well as swept-back grips so I can vary hand position.

Anybody out there have this style of handlebar on a comfort hybrid such as the Venture? Would it bring the bar ends too close to the body, d'you think? Would climbing become harder?

Very timely topic! I've been contemplating making a similar change as well.

Probably just end up with a Nashbar trekking bar (it will play nice with Ergons and grip shifts), but do want to keep my options open.

I have never been a fan of them flat bars on bikes and have changed out nearly all of my bikes with a more swept back design. I have the Metropolis Bars on my Kona and Sawyer and On One Marys on my Fatty. About a year ago I converted my 82 Schwinn World Sport Road Bike with these VO Postino Bars and love them. VO Postino Handlebar - Handlebars - Components

What I'd really like is something like the Nitto Bosco:

Nitto Bosco Bar, Alu HT 58cm x 25.4 - 16241

I'm just afraid that on a bike as upright and compact as the Venture, the grip ends would end up positioned somewhere over my knees!

It might work with a longer stem & a setback seatpost. To make my Kona Dr. Fine work after getting the Metropolis Bars I got a long setback seatpost.

Velo Orange "Milan" bars on my '06 Kona Dew Deluxe.
Mounted them upside down so they sort of drop. Also have some
Soma "Sparrow" bars that I may try again...forgot why I did not
like them.

Peter