FIRST POST INTRO and aero bar setup/bar end brake and shifter questions

Hello everyone,

This is my first post and I have a lot of questions. First, I'll introduce myself--I'm in the Army, have been an age-group runner/racer for about two years, and did my first tri (Couples Tri) in July 08 in Austin, TX. Since then I've been hooked. I found my first training plan (FREE!) from this website and have finally decided to become an official member of the forums. I completed another in Sept., and my next goal is the Morgan Hill Tri (CA) in May 09. It is slightly shorter than an olympic tri.

I broke a set of Forte aerobars a little while back, and just bought this profile design alumin-x aero bar setup with carbon aero bars for $53.59 from Nashbar. 

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=600092&subcategory=60001180&brand=&sku=23809&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Aero%20Bars

The aerobars curve away significantly from the center, away from each other. Why would profile design make their aerobars like this? Another picture of the exact same bars from another website shows them like this,

http://www.onetri.com/product_info.php?products_id=1752

which is exactly how i plan to set them up on my bike, just by switching the left bar with the right bar. My first question is, why would the bars ever be set up pointing away from center? Why would I receive them like this, besides some people (who?) will just ride with them in this position? The two items are the exact same product.

My next questions are in regards to the fact that I obviously need bar-end shifters and brake levers. My Felt f85 bike is only 6 months old and has 105 components. Should I try to sell the handlebar/shifter/brake setup myself, and find good deals on brakes/shifters of my own (any reliable/low cost recommendations?)? How much could I expect to sell the brakes/shifters for? I've fallen one time, so one shifter is slightly scratched.

Or should I go to a LBS, and offer to give them my old handlebar setup in exchange for installing my new gear and giving me bar end brakes and shifters, bar tape, and cables? Is this plausible? If a LBS agrees, which level of components should i request?

As for brake levers, I've been thinking about lower-end Profile Design levers in the $40-50 range. Any shifters I've seen are at horrific prices, but I also want something fairly well made. Is this just a component that is on the expensive side? Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

 Thanks again everyone, and keep TRI-ing!