bar width

[tjayk]

i normally ride a 42cm road bar, but my track bike takes 25.4 bars and the only one i had w/out spending money is a 39cm bar (money is a barrier here). i don't like the 39cm bar for riding around currently, but am wondering if it will be better or worse than a 42 for the track.

so what is more important in amateur track racing - a narrow bar that will be more aerodynamic if not as comfortable, or a wider bar that is comfortable for me and will give more leverage in a sprint? at this point i'm thinking leverage and comfort definitely outweigh aerodynamics although i'm sure it depends on the event/race.

just want some opinions before i trade for wider bars with a friend... thanks.

[fixedpip]

I think comfort has a lot to do with it and by comfort I mean it just has to feel ok, not that it has to feel plush.

I personally would just try it out and then worry about it. 3cm is not a massive change for some but you may feel constricted depending on your size etc. I've used 42cm on my road bike, but 39cm on the track for a long time.

But bars like saddle are a personal thing and you may find that the width is ok, but the drop of the bars is not or that they flex too much when sprinting etc.

[melville]

i normally ride a 42cm road bar, but my track bike takes 25.4 bars and the only one i had w/out spending money is a 39cm bar (money is a barrier here). i don't like the 39cm bar for riding around currently, but am wondering if it will be better or worse than a 42 for the track.

so what is more important in amateur track racing - a narrow bar that will be more aerodynamic if not as comfortable, or a wider bar that is comfortable for me and will give more leverage in a sprint? at this point i'm thinking leverage and comfort definitely outweigh aerodynamics although i'm sure it depends on the event/race.

just want some opinions before i trade for wider bars with a friend... thanks.

The thing that is most important is a bar that is narrow enough that you can stuff it into small holes to keep yourself alive in a miss-n-out. If you are actually using leverage in a sprint you will be a danger to yourself and others (at least starting out). Track ain't about comfort.

Stick with your cheap instinct and learn to love your skinny bar.

[Ben the bike]

The ec90 track bar comes in only two sizes 38cm and 40cm, bar width for track is unique as it adheres to the rules of close riding, and narrow is better.http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-4646093457161_2007_6238537