Quote Originally Posted by emily_in_nc
Thanks, Dirt Girl! But how do you get over not wanting your beautiful bike to get, well, DIRTY ???

So you think that drop bars will/are causing problems for you?
When you really find out how much fun getting it dirty can be, that helps. And I'm spoiled by a hubby that is almost obsessive about keeping the bikes clean (and in good working order). So, I know my bike won't be dirty for long. And dirt will be the least of your worries...it's a safe bet to say that your mountain bike will suffer scratches and scrapes, just like your body will, as all mountain bikers fall. Some more than others, but I don't know of anyone who has never fallen. It's part of the package.

The bars I'm speaking of are traditional road bars with the drop. They are made by Bontrager, and the shop guy says they don't make the "v" dip in front of the brake levers. Bontrager's site says:
"Flat-top bar has shallower drop and level transition to brake lever hoods that raises rider position." The shop says with this level bar, I won't get the pain between my thumb and finger that I get now with the typical bars. I'll find out if he's right sometime next week, I hope.