I can't quite figure out how this conversation veered from hands to bottoms so I won't try for a smooth segue back.

On the hands topic, I just added Specialized 2.5mm Bar Phat to my Litespeed's bars and yummy! Not too thick, not too thin, just perfect! I have a tendon injury in my left wrist which is very happy with the stuff. It'll be going on the Mercian so I can fly down Diablo a bit more comfortably (plus some 25 tires). Fizik makes something similar to the Bar Phat. (FYI - Bar Phat is available in a 4mm thickness also but it would increase the size of the bar too much for my dainty paws)

Yes, to your core strength. A strong back is important to hand happiness as well as bent elbows.

I also discovered yesterday that I hate my PI GelLite gloves. The pad on the base of my thumb has a thick ridge that hits me in the wrong spot unless I ride on the hoods or drops all the time - no other variations.