Ape hangers are the best as they are super comfortable around town.

good thinking that, i was thinking of selling of the stock risers that come with the bike, i might keep them and swap them when i want a change :)

http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/product-...-handlebar.jpg the drops im thinking of getting, cheap and does the job, not really "named" though. but i was never one for big brands.

What did you end up with? I'm looking at some bullhorns at the moment. Just not sure which to buy (it's harder because they range in price from $20-250).

Another vote for thee classic drops with aero levers. Mine are set with the tops at the same height as my saddle, drops level and tightly wrapped in newbaums cotton. I only use the drops in wind, rain, climbs or sprints. Most of the time Im hanging out on the hoods or on the tops. Herz's dad would've had less work, a better functioning and a cleaner looking bike had he just gotten a taller stem.

I like drops, with brakes. The versatility of the hand positions is what I like most, plus, the brakes give me a place to rest my hands.

Track drops put hair on your chest.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=396442

Geared or not geared I like my Riser bars flipped forward with long barends added. I ride brevets, all night, commuting, up to 400km non stop. These bars do all I need them to. Couldn't do it with drops. Anything over 200km and I'm in pain at the end.

http://d2plslj6xljffa.cloudfront.net...BLK-254_P1.jpg
Real big fan of these dirt drops. 55cm wide so it opens up your chest a lot better, easier to breathe. I haven't tried them with hoods, but they're so wide they climb plenty easy without.

^^Those wider drops sound interesting. Seems like it'd be a bit tight when you wanna go between things, as it's another 6 or so inches wider than most??

I didn't like my drops because they were too narrow, hurt my shoulders. Might have to get a set of these for long rides on rural roads.

Another style of drops I actually like are the ones on this build.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=396458

The acute angle and lack of a curve in the drops makes it MUCH nicer than standard ones. I'd ride long distance with those, but these... no way

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=396459

Always get too much pressure on nerve between my thumb and finger and it gets very uncomfortable. Hoods are ok, drops are as absolutely needed only.

It's called an anatomic bend and I have them on both my bikes. I really like them a lot. I find the "humped" section in the drop very comfortable.

(Also, level your saddles out and you'll have less pressure on your hands. ;))

I don't like classic curved drops either.

^ this

Bullhorns would be my second preference.

Depends a little on the fit though. If you wanna run a longer stem drops are better, shorter stem works better with flat bars/bullhorns.

Level the saddle and the boys down stairs get squished and I feel them not for days. I'd rather just use flatbars or bullhorns and not use drops in the first place.

I think you may have a different fit issue going on there. It shouldn't make your junk numb to ride with a level saddle.

I just put these new carbon Look drops on about 2 weeks ago. So far they are great. Nice and comfy compared to the Deda drops I had
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=396570

im going to end up getting drops i think, these ones http://www.citygrounds.com/prodimages/560-DEFAULT-l.jpg

they come in white or black, i think ill go for black. i know what you mean about the price range, its hard to find a decent yet not cheaply made set of bars

Compacts fan myself. I'd like to try some hoods and perhaps some compacts with flat tops ala FSA Pro Wings.

Road drops with brakes and hoods ... in general.
I've now discovered compact drops, with ergonomically curved drops (ie, not the traditional curve and not that stupid flat spot they used to call 'ergo') and nice, fat oversized drops, so much so that I now double wrap my older bars on top to replicate the extra thickness.

I ride Deda Dritto bars on my commuter and will be building up a speed bike soon with 3t Ergonova Pro drop bars.

Most any h-bar is fine if your commute is less than 10 miles or so. Just pick the style you like.

Anything over 15 miles and you're probably going to want a variety of hand positions. Traditional or compact drops with brake hoods set up correctly are best for this.

They're not designed with riding in the hoods in mind, it's actually pretty uncomfortable, it puts your wrists in a very unnatural position. Pretty much supposed to ride in the drops for the most part. I love them for off road riding.

+1

On my pair the hoods are angled really low so I can single finger brake without reaching for the lever.

When I had the hoods higher I could use them for short durations but it was awkward. Like this:
http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps9d7cbbfa.jpg

^^^^ The Salsa Cowbell bars might be a good compromise between them and regular compact drops.