Lbxpdx

In a lot of parts and tools I picked up yesterday was a pair of Nitto Dream bars in 42cm. I had Compass Rando bars in 44cm, but found that I was constantly making adjustments with my seat or handlebars, ever so slightly on every ride. I threw on the Dreams and that flat bar made my palms level taking tension off of my shoulder allowing my back and hips to loosen, making my ride more comfortable and more enjoyable. I think I was quicker too, No knee pain and I was able to get a subtle bend in my elbows. I had no idea so much would change with a different handlebar shape.

delbiker1 

I have become a big fan of Velo-Orange Porteur bars, now on 2 bikes. I have 1 set up with a downslope, and 1 with a rise. Both with brifters, allows for a lot of hand positions and easy access to braking and shifting with little hand movement. They have really helped with neck, shoulder, hand issues, and even more so, my arthritic thumbs. They have pretty much been taken out of the equation. I still have a couple of bikes with drop bars, but some days they really cause pain in my thumbs, especially the left one.
Since putting the Porteur bars on my Airborne Zeppelin and Poprad, they are the 2 bikes I ride most. The Zeppelin has become my number one; light, nimble and fast, smooth operation, and highly comfortable.

Maelochs

Possibly Nitto Dream bars ...


Possibly Velo-Orange Porteur bars

Chuckles1

Most bikes with proper frame size for me come with 44cm bars. Swapping them out for 42cm bars made for a great improvement on my gravel bike, as did installing a longer stem. I agree: customizing the bars to fit makes it feel like a different bike. It helps if you have another bike that fits better to serve as a guide before buying new parts.

Lbxpdx

A few months ago I bought an 85 Schwinn Voyageur and the stock bars are 39cm. They looked way to narrow and I figured I’d replace them ASAP, but felt great.

Fredo76

The wrong bars make it difficult for me to relax my shoulders sometimes. For drop bars, I much prefer straight tops to curved ones. I had my old Campion del Mundo in 38cm, tried a Criterium in a 44cm (almost like a track bar - the curved tops slope down), now have Giro de Italia in 42cm. I'd get 40cm, I think, in a do-over, but they're pretty comfortable as they are, with 2cm less drop than the del Mundo but the same straight, square-rish tops.

I've tried four Soma bars on my brother's Rivendell Clem Smith Jr.. The Sparrow and the Clarence (less angled back) I liked more than the Oxford or the Mustache (more angled back). None really have actual alternative hand positions - I can grip the risers awkwardly, or drape my hands over the controls, but that's about it. So, now I'm trying something completely different:



Nitto butterfly bars

So far, so good.

big chainring 

I'm old school. Cinelli 65 Criterium bars for me. The handlebar of Champions!

Steel Charlie

Young champions. Later in life they use 64's. And then they give up the drops entirely for something usable. Bullhorns work fine for me and I feel no shame for not having drops. My antique back and neck are much happier and the massive weight savings on the bars - well, hahaha