I might be wrong, but think Salsa measures center to center of the bar where the hoods will be. A 42 Bell Lap or Woodchipper should have the hoods in the same place as a 42 ctc conventional bar. I'm fine riding bars that flare in the drops, because I don't spend the majority of my time there and my core holds my weight better than when on the hoods. On longer (road) rides, if I'm using a bar that's too wide at the hoods I get elbow and shoulder pain, I think because my core is not as active and I let me chest collapse some, putting too much weight on my arms in an awkward way. Someone with more upper body strength probably won't have this problem.


The only important measurement is the hood to hood measurement. That should roughly line up with your shoulders (refer to a fit guide). A bar that's wider than that may still work fine for you, it's depends on your build and core strength. In my experience, if you feel like you have too much weight on the bars, and your saddle and stem positioning are correct, a narrower bar may help you. Angling your hoods inward will help too.

It's also very possible the stock bars are too wide, because salsa only makes two sizes of off road bars (42 and 46). I think the smallest Vaya ships with 42s, whereas the smallest Casseroll ships with 38s.

If the salsa gods are listening, please make a 38 off road bar for us ladies!