OK, I looked again at the pics and I think Bikerz and I are saying the same thing. In both photos the backs of your hands are not in the same plane with your forearms. This and the elbow lockout must go! I don't know how much is bike fit, bad habit or weak muscles. If you really want to keep the flat bars, get someone who fits a lot of mtn bikes to help. Just make sure they don't set up the levers for extreme downhills. (as in the butt-flossing position). This will cock up your hands into a bad position.