Originally Posted by
KerryIrons
Unlikely that switching to a flat bar is the answer. You will have many fewer hand positions and having your elbow in the same position all the time is not likely to help. Try moving around on the bars more during your rides, and look at all the other good suggestions in this thread.
I don't get elbow pain when riding my gravel/commuter bike which is a mountain bike with flat bars. But I won't ride a flat bar bike without bar ends so I can change my hand positions. I've got a set of bar ends on order which should show up next week.
My other reasons for changing the handlebars is that my bike is around 30 years old and the bars are not very comfortable when riding on the hoods. Certainly not like more modern bikes. And I'm not a big fan of the down tube shifters which I find hard to shift while pedaling, and sometimes have to feel around to find while riding.