Extra padding on the hoods?

[Gingerbreadman]

Hi,

One of my bikes is an old (2002-ish) Giant TCR which I love. However, the "ergonomic" shaped handlebars (which I think were very fashionable at the time) create quite a savage V shape between the bar and the hoods -which isnt very comfortable.

As I see it I have a couple options:

1) replace with a more classically shaped bar (but this means converting to oversize or else trawling ebay)
2) adding some "padding" to smooth out the V-shape. I know Cavendish likes two sets of hood covers but I was thinking maybe just some foam and bar tape.

I am not blessed with much time or money so I favour option #2

Anybody done something similar?

 

[mythste]

Gloves?

 

[Joffey]

Double wrapped bar tape?

 

[John the Monkey]

I guess you could try an extra wrap on the ramp into the hoods?

One other possibility is a "wing" bar - these have a lovely flat ramp into the hoods, and are really comfortable. I don't think the FSA alloy bar I have was that expensive, although there's the faff of swapping the bar and rewrapping.

 

[winjim]

Softer hood covers such as hudz?

 

[The_Weekend_Report_Guy]

Ooooh you brought some nice memories of an old friend and mentor to my head..!!!

I used to ride with a club back in the US when I started and they lend me a bike... And my mentor and friend Mr Frank (70) has all the tricks..! The handlebars of the bike I was riding were not bad... Bu he cut an old t-shirt in straps and wrapped the bar tape over it..

I can see him doing it and think "WTF is the old man doing now?" but the result was a nice and comfortable handlebar all over..

The only pic I have from that bike...

 

[Ian H]

Try tilting the bars up a little.