The Avail 3 comes with an adjustable stem. It's easy to raise it up a little bit until you get used to having more pressure on the hands and being in a road riding position. If you are just getting into it most likely you are dealing with the initial aches and pains that are normal to new riders. When I started riding I had an OCR3 which is what the Avail 3 replaced. I gradually dropped the stem from where I raised it to a 'normal' riding position and I was then quite comfortable. For me it was a flexibility issue in my lower back too. You might try this in the beginning and see if it helps. Another thing to think about when you ride is engaging your core muscles. Make a conscious effort to hold you body upright with your core to help alleviate some of the stress on your shoulders, neck and hands. In order to stop the death grip you have to relax your shoulders and arms on the bars. You have a nice responsive bike you just have to learn not over react. That's where if your shoulders and arms are relaxed you are less likely to jerk the bars around. Some shrugs and ab strengthening exercises will help you maintain good bike posture. Hope that helps a little. Be safe.