I currently have anatomic bend bars and they suck. The part that my hands should fall on in the drops is nearly vertical then there is a sharp bend with a 2" or so flat part parallel to the ground. Horrible design all the way around.

I'm looking for something with a few good hand positions. At least a comfortable bend at the front for sprinting/descending and a decent flat for comfort when I want to get a little lower when I'm on the front pulling. I'm sort of looking at the FSA Pro Wing Compact and the 3T Rotunda right now. What would you suggest for a non racer who is just looking for something that works better for him.

I used to have a set of ergo bars like the ones you are describing. They were Salsa Poco bars and had a weird bump kind of thing which I never really got used to. I recently replaced them with Ergonovas and really like them.

Old Bars:

more pics.

The one good thing about traditional bends is that they don't dictate where you grab the bar. I recently switched back to a traditional bend after years of never quite getting used to anatomical ones. I like to grab deep in the drops, and the shallow angle most anatomical bars have make me rotate the bars up a lot. In order to make my round bars as comfortable as an ergo bar, I just wrap one strip of bar tape around the part my hands go on before I wrap the bars.

Properly installed, there is no anatomic bar that I am aware of with a nearly vertical drop section. Some are swept back more than others and some require an absolutely level position near the ends. I set the angle in the drop section to be comfortable first. If something else is off, then the bars are a reject before they are ever used.

Only get compact if you need the shorter reach or shallower drop. I use a large 11cm drop from the saddle to the bars, and I need a short reach, so the short and shallow Easton EC90-SLX3 works for me.

Also consider Deda Newtons, shallow or deep drop. I particularly like having lots of hand room on the drops.

https://www.dedaelementi.com/En/Produ...ctIDMaster=365

I should have said that they feel vertical. They're not exactly but they are really steep.

Which model bar is this? Nearly vertical (when the bottom part is nearly level) is pretty much where I like to grip my bars.

I love the anatomical bars. I find if I put it to where the bump in in the middle of my palm it leads to a much more comfortable position. From that position I can reach the levers to shift and brake comfortably from the drops. My other bike has traditional bars and when I'm in the drops I have to put my hands on the level section at the end, where I can't reach the levers. To each his own.

i think funky bends like that make a shallower actual drop.

I've made the switch to FSA Pro Wing Compacts and love them. Bars are very subjective so what works for me may not work for you.

I love Ergo bars too, but it is very difficult to find one with the right bend. One that I like right now is the Deda Elementi Nera (26.0mm) The bend is one of the better I've come across. As I understand it, the Newton is essentially the same bend; not sure about the 215. For reference: the Colnago in my signature sports the bar (Nera) in question.

Using an Easton EC90 SLX3 Handlebar now and love the fill no mater were I place my hands on the bars I like the way the bend is in them.

3t Ergosum Pro. Shallow drop / compact shape, but not too short on the reach - which means there is plenty of room on the ramps for average to large hands. (I find FSA compact bars have too little on the ramps for larger hands.) I believe a lot of guys on the Tour used the 3t and not the carbon version.