When I got the new bike I went with drop bars in part because of the Shimano 105 group set had brifters and it suited the bike at the start. At first I was really nervous about them, it felt really narrow and weird to ride but then I adjusted to it.

I liked the position on top of the hoods and the middle grips as I cross brakes on them. I never really got on with the drops so used them very rarely… only really going down long hills. When doing riding that was more off road or rough the narrowness of the drop bars were difficult to manage. I started to look for something that would suit me better for touring.

There are many interesting bars out there for touring, from flat ones to swept drops. Looking at other tourers bikes the butterfly handle bars or jones loop seem very popular. Neither seemed quite right for me as small person I wanted a more in line grip for my hands. Then I found the Velo Orange Crazy Bars that seemed nearly perfect…

Until Koga Denham bars came out, with slightly less sweep and shorter horns, I then had a choice on my hands… I went with the Denham bars and so far they have been awesome.

I added to these the Ergon GC1 grips to try and avoid any nerve and wrist pain as well as providing some vibration absorption. I also went with thick padded bar tape in a fabulous bright orange (the picture does not do it justice) to make the other two positions comfortable. Currently I am experimenting with right angle for the bars and grips but the have been comfortable and easy to use in all positions. I definitely notice the difference in head winds between the grips and the horns. I just wish I could have brakes in both positions but then I am a chicken sometimes.