Since flat/riser bars come uncut, and road/drop bars are sized, I was wondering if there was a "normal" range of widths that you guys ride. Looking to get a measurement center to center, across the bar.

Is there a typical width for cross country racing specifically? If I'm comfortable with 42cm road bars, what would this translate to?

Thanks!

On my MTN bikes I prefer a 27in or 685mm bar. For me it feels like I have more control of the bike.

Some people like wide bars. I don't. 580mm for me.
Maybe start with wider bars, and then chop them down if you don't like.

711, or 28in, can't stand narrow bars on my mtn bike, wide bars give me more leverage and more control. For the record i shoudl use 42cm bars on my road bike, but i use 40cm ones cause I like em more, oh and my ss has 38s for fast handlin and city dodgin, nah they where free

26 inch gives me more control yet still keeps it tight for narrow paths.

I was told that for men the tried and true rule to get a proper bike fit and know the required width of bars was to simply measure you "junk" times by 2. I ride 44 cm bars....

27 here too.

I have 29.5" on my trail bike and 30" on my DH bike. And after riding wide bars for so long, I can't stand getting on a bike with narrow bars...even 28" feels too narrow. I put a wider bar on the trail bike (had a 28" before) because it always felt weird riding XC after being on the DH bike so much. But the wide bars require a little finesse on a few of the trails around here...keeps things interesting at high speeds.

If you're uncertain about the width you want, buy something like a 28" bar and cut if necessary.

BTW, I also have fairly wide bars on the road bike - 48cm.

I like the 27 inch best, it feels the most natural for me

680mm (27") for me.