Quote Originally Posted by Catriona View Post
nsandz - your trip sounds awesome - just try out a couple of these suggestions before September. The easiest one to do is those ergon grips - rei & performance have them on sale currently and both of them will let you return them indefinitely if they don't end up being what you need.

If those don't work, then I'd say try trekking bars next and soma sparrows last.

I love my soma sparrows, I'm not sure I'd want to ride across or down the US on them.
I was just thinking that the answer is never easy, there are always sooo many options out there....lol. I think you might have just made it easier though.

I have been in and out of the bike shop so much the past couple months trying new things to get my old bike to fit better. Now I just got this bike, I love it and I don't want to bring it back I just want to ride it...lol. So for now I am debating on just putting bar tape on or buying the ergon grips like you said and see what happens and how my hands and wrists feel. I still have yet to really "break in the bike". I just worry that I need to figure it all out now so I can be completely used to my bike before I head out on the long trip.

Catrin- I also am very new to this...sometimes I feel like I am in over my head, lol. Right now I have the shifters that come stock with the bike - Shimano EF60 trigger, 8 speed. My BF and riding partner suggested we order different shifters, but I cannot remember what they were called, I will get back to you on that.

I just wanted to say thank everyone so much for all the comments and ideas. I will keep you posted on what I decided to do. Hopefully at some point in the future I will know enough about bikes so I can return the favor