bobby c

What effects do different handlebar widths create? Does a wider bar give more stability without any downside? Or are there different widths for different body frames (narrow shoulders=narrower bars, etc.)? Any other factors?

The longer I bike the more I'm trying to pay attention to position - what signs are there for incorrect (or less than ideal) bar widths? What if bars are too narrow? Too wide?

Thanks,
Bob

joetronic

I like wider bars. I use a 44cm, but was fitted for a 42cm. I feel the wider bars help keep your shoulders from being scrunched up, this in turn opens you chest allowing for better breathing. I don't know if this is true or not, just my $.02

Grasschopper

Wider bars are more stable, and open up your chest. If your bars are too narrow you can restrict your breathing. On the other hand if you use wider bars than are needed for fit then you are adding frontal area which equals wind resistance. If you don't care about speed then wider bars could be for you...if you want speed then you want bars that are the proper width to open your chest to breath but not too wide to add the frontal area.

joetronic

I have heard somewhere that the bars width should match the width of your shoulders. Is this correct? I shop I was fitted at didn't explain why I shoudl use 42cm, just that those would fit me. BTW, I this is not my normal LBS for reasons just like this.

Grasschopper

Yup.

maccpres

I use 40 center to center. I like a noarrow bar. More areo and I can breath just fine. I think if you elbows have a slight bend like they should you are not going to restrict your breathing. Narrow is a little more efficient but you have to do what feels good to you.

soccerismylife

An easy way I learned to fit the width is to hold the bars in the drops and simply lower them and if your arms come down to the side of your body, then they are a correct width. I guess this is a good way of measuring your shoulder wdth, however, I don't know if this technique is more for comfort then aerodynamics.

johnny99

I think the "stable" and "open up your chest" issues only apply to people who ride with their hands on the brake hoods and the tops of the bars all the time. If you use the drops and hooks a lot, your chest will open up because of the reach. Your lower center of gravity on the drops also improves your stability.

I agree with you on the aerodynamics. Being narrow is usually more important than being low.

531Aussie

mostly true, but some big guys would then be using 48s
Width is mostly about comfort. 42cm is pretty much standard, although there is slight variation amongst brands.

fmw

I also use 40cm bars. My first road bike had bars that size and I got used to them. I haven't ever had the compulsion to change.

Nubie

I have 38cm bars, which I love. It was one of the main deciding factors when I was thinking about buying it. I have really narrow shoulders, like a lot of women, so the narrow bars on my WSD bike is perfect for me. Anything wider and I would be using my traps and pecs to keep me up.

rufvelo

I take it you didn't consider replacing the bars and increasing your search for the right bike? Although I don't see too many 38s.

Handlebars are my last criteria, something I've always replaced on the bike I've bought, due to a preference for a 46(44c-c), round with a deep drop and long reach.

Nubie

Actually, I did consider it, but everything else (including the price, the biggest factor of all) was right too. It was just more...comfortable. Maybe there is something to the WSD geometry, after all.

markwebb

I had always used 40-42 width until I recently trid 46. Man what a difference - infinitely more comfortable !!!! Many more positions and it just feels more natural. I'd NEVER go back !!!

Warblade

On the track I like to use 38's because you can fly inbetween people without crashing into their bars.

Mariner Fan

Damn, I have 46's on all my bikes. I measured them on my shoulders and they fit perfectly.

MichaelW

Bar should be wide enough for your shoulders but your riding style also makes a difference. I find that I can ride with quite narrow bars, on the hoods, without getting a tight chest.
You should take care not to splay out your arms when using wide bars. The triangulation will form a ridgid structure which cannot absorb road shock. I keep some flex in my arms both in sideways and frontal profile.
The narrowst bars I have found are Modolo who make a 36. 3TTT are another manufacturer making a wide variety of sizes and shapes.
Besides width, the depth of the drop and the profile of the curve are important for comfort.