Finally purchased my first road bike.

56cm frame & dropbar width is 42cm.

I'm replacing the dropbar with a Salsa Cowbell. Have ridden with stock dropbar for about 30km and fit (width) doesn't feel bad at all.

I've also measured my shoulder width, about 17" or 43.1cm - which would indicate a 44cm bar right?

Anyways, is there any reason NOT to go with a 44cm Cowbell, when the 42cm width fits perfectly fine?

Will be riding 90% on the hoods. I want comfort for longer rides, above all.

Will I even notice the jump from 42 to 44 at all?

Thanks!

Try and report .. 2cm is not even an Inch. 2.54 cm Is.

I ended up with the 44cm. I ordered the 44 and luckily there was a 42cm on a bike at my LBS, so I brought my bar over, and compared.

The difference is very subtle...yes...it's less than 1", subtle but noticeable. At least for me. The 44 felt a little more 'relaxed.'

Subjective at best. I'm a 42cm guy as well. 38 feels small, 42 feels fine but I have a 44 on the tandem for the leverage. Would use a 46 there, if I could find one. Relaxed isn't the word I would use to describe the big fit, but if it works for you, ride on... ...

If I'm not mistaken, the Cowbell has a 6 degree flare from hood outwards. They measure the bar at the widest point which is in the drops so a 44 which is measured at the drops is narrower at the hoods. It's probably close to 42 at the hoods or just a bit over 42.

They don't necessarily measure bars from the drop ends, sometimes they measure where the hoods will be. It's frustrating to guess and there's often scant information online. They should post technical drawings on their websites.

A post on this thread indicates the Cowbell is measured from the hood position. https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...road-bars.html