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@Fixed&Broken
Your headset might well be fine. Needle bearing headsets do feel stiffer on pre-tension but work fine once you are riding. I've used a couple and it's a consistent theme. The LBS that fitted mine actually pointed this out to me when I collected the bike as they have had people come back before with just the issue you describe. Personally I prefer them to standard ball race ones.
Bars - just tape the lot and loose the grips you have.
Gears - Depends on what you ride and the state of your legs but personally I ride a hell of a lot lower. While I spin like mad on a clear road I find the extra control in traffic a real bonus.