Handlebar width for flat bar road bike
 

I have a Cannondale Quick Carbon with the stock width handlebars. I am starting to feel that the bars are a bit too wide. I understand (I think) that the general guideline for DROP BARS is for the bars to be the same width as your shoulders. Is this the same guidance for FLAT BARS?

I also have a Cannondale Quick. I had nearly an inch cut off end. But I don't know the rule of thumb. It helped me a lot. Not much if any more could come off and still get grips on the handlebars. I got Ergon grips and they had to be cut off.

What works for you; is the rule for your bike.

Move the brake levers, shifters and grips inboard an 1/2 inch and try it, then another, etc until you find what is comfortable for you. Ride at least a couple hundred miles, then cut the bars off to suit you. A pipe cutter (plumber's tool) work well on aluminum and low end steel bars; not very well on cro-moly or carbon.

don't forget to factor in your bar ends too, if you use them..

you should never use a plumbers pipe tool to cut carbon. a hacksaw with a grit blade will work well. I agree with everyone else, start by just sliding your controls in a little bit and try riding like that. I ride a pretty narrow 58cm hbar on my commuter bike so that I can slip by narrow openings with cars even though i'm a broad shouldered 6'3" I don't do long rides on that bike so it's not really an issue. regarding your comment about "road bikes usually go for width of shoulders" I can definiteively say that No, it's not the same standard for a flatbar bike. Road bikes usually have 40-44cm wide bars while as I mentioned earlier, flat bars are usually 58-62 Also, flat bars are usually sold in a one length and then you cut to size as needed.