BikeMike,
The short answer for me was Ritchey Pro Biomax Road Bars. With enough riding there is a chance you could develop physical problems with the old round curved drop bars.
The longer answer: On my Bianchi the OME handlebars were dreadfully uncomfortable and they were the ergonomic angle style, Deda Elimenti, you are asking about. The worst aspect was in the drop position my hands were too large for the flat area so my hands pressed beyond the corners. I questioned the handlebar fit when I bought it and was told that you spend 90% plus of the time on the top of the bars and it wasnt a problem. I lived in the Seattle area last year and was personally fitted by the stores owner who is an internationally known frame builder (If someone is a real computer sleuth they can figure out who this person is. And I will add he is an incredibly nice and patient person who truly loves bicycles, old and new all shapes and sizes.). Im six-foot-one, large, but not extra-large and this was a 61 CM frame. But even with my hands on top of the bar my shoulders felt pinched after a while.
In steps my wife, M, (her real nickname) who is a sports physical therapist and had just completed and extensive course titled, The Biomechanics of the Cyclist, Fit, Function, and Pathology (some dry reading).
Width
Rider sitting up, measure from left to right Acromion Process, posterior aspect
Measure bar center to center of drop at edge of drops
Shoulder should be equal to or 1cm smaller than bar width
Roll
With level in vertical plane from posterior edge at top of bar to the end of the drop
Dependent on the manufacturer
Bar Manufacturers determine how they will measure their bar: either Center to Center (C-to-C) or Outside to Outside (O-to-O)
They will also determine how much bar will extend backwards from the bottom of the drops, how deep the drops will be, and how far forward the tops will go. These characteristics should be noted and accounted for.
Brake/shift lever placement
Straight edge on inferior aspect of drop extending beyond tip of brake lever
Straight edge should just contact tip of the brake
And it goes on for another 150 pages. She put a note in the corner of a page Bike in Crash----replace bar. That and some common bike tools and a small list of PT instruments that I have a hard time pronouncing and you will have the perfect fit.
Needless to say the OME handlebars didnt measure up in any direction or shape.
I suggest going to a really well stocked bike shop and have them put your bike on a leveled trainer and start trying bars out. Many of the best shops have trained staff who for a modest fee will adjust everything fit aspect on your bike while you are on it. I did it here in Portland with a trained fit tech. It was worth every cent of the $45.00 and over one hour of time. My wife now refers patients to her.
Good riding,
Western Flyer
Portland, Oregon
Western Flyer
