The bars should be as wide as your shoulders.

As for what kind of drop you want, you need to consider why your current bars are uncomfortable. If you have a classic or ergo bend and find the drops too low, compact is prolly the way to go.

Also, consider the possibilities when it comes to rotating your bars and moving the levers. The one about having the bottom of your levers level with your drops should only be regarded as a starting point rather than gospel; I have mine lower with the bars rotated up slightly.



Before anyone accuses me of knowing bugger-all about fit, I usually have a more level seat than that, but this one seems to have an odd shape that only feels right like this.