Went to the LBC (Local bike club) annual summer picnic yesterday
and one of the classiest bicyclists (career woman, never had kids; owns EXPENSIVE custom bikes, goes on LONG HARD RIDES) sat next to me.
She mentioned something about a visit to her lbs because she was having problems gripping her brakes.!!!
(on your custom Davidson? I asked)
well, yes.. I guess they gave her a new set of handlebars...
meanwhile, I had written to our New Zealand friend, Steve Hogg who suggests the Modolo Venus bars.. anyone have these?
he also said..
(Modulo Venus bars) They
are a shortish reach shallow drop round bar which means that the brake hoods
can be fairly high but still leave you able to reach the brake levers from
the drops. That said, Campag levers sit further from the bar than Shimano.
Shimano also make a short reach STI lever which no one seems to know about but I sell plenty. Modolo Venus bars are measured centre to centre just like your Salsa bar. The Salsa have a tight radius bend in the bar that means
there are practical limits to how high the levers can come and still reach
them from the drops.

So, shortly I plan to take the bike to the same shop that my rich friend went to and talk about new bars. I like the description of the Modolo Venus bars though..