Bike shopping

[Espresso]

A friend of mine talked me out of a road bike by saying it won't be comfortable or practical to ride around town here in Atlanta. That said, I should have thought to try one today and I definitely will give one a shot before I make a purchase.

I do think he's right to be concerned about the posture and the wheels for riding in town here, but I also know that wrists are not meant to be in the position of a flat bar for nearly that long.

[Crankin]

And that is why I have 2 bikes. A light carbon road bike for long rides and my Jamis for around town errands. I do love the feel of steel, but I would not want to ride my Coda with the flat bars for very long rides on a regular basis, although I have done a few 25+mile rides on it.
Perhaps you can find a steel road bike, and put thicker tires on it for city riding?

[Velocivixen]

"I'm planning on getting some Ergon grips that will hopefully give me enough hand position options."

My Trek hybrid came with those types of bar end grips like the Ergon's. They are "cushier", but still your hands (which translate to neck angle, shoulder angle, hip angle-they're all connected) really have nowhere to go. I've never been to Atlanta or know anything about the riding conditions. I just hope that you don't get something and quickly outgrow it as your comfort & confidence on a bike grows.
If the flat bar works for you that's awesome. If, like me, you end up wanting more you can always buy another bike.

Keep looking until you find the right one. You mentioned one was obviously better on the bumpy street. Which one was that? Steel?

[Espresso]

Yeah, the steel was much nicer on the bumpy road. Not surprising, but nice to confirm.

[HillSlugger]

I love my Jamis Coda

[Catrin]

I have these on my mountain bike - and they are awesome! The bar ends are nice and soft yet firm enough at the same time. The only reason they are on my mountain bike and not on my Gunnar as they were intended is because they don't fit grip shifters, triggers only. They are not appropriate for use with carbon bars.

I can ride these and my other Ergon grips all day long, literally. This does not, however, work for everyone, there are certain physical reasons why I have the riding position I do and am lucky to have a gifted fitter who has been able to accommodate my needs.

If you want to try Ergons and want more than the basic grips, then I highly recommend these.

[Espresso]

That's one set I've been looking at One question: Do you know what the difference is between large and small?

Also, I saw grip shift length ones available on Amazon (although they don't ship from Amazon, so you may want to be cautious).