Originally Posted by
badger1
The "best" width is the one you prefer -- simple as that. If you want something wider than 23" (around 580 mm or so), go for it. My preferred width (flat bar) is 620 mm (both mtb and flat-bar road bike). Some prefer wider, some narrower. Experiment (bars are relatively cheap)!
Yes, I agree. I do believe however that we get used to a particular length. My current most used bike is a specialized crosstrail, it's bars a little wider than my cannondale. When I first got it, it felt awkward, but now I'm used to it and it feels fine. If my cannondale had wider bars than my specialized I suspect that too would have felt awkward. I think Mr. Einstein said something about things being relative.