How do you measure handlebar width?
 

Is it center to center or some other method?
Im trying to figure out if I have 42 or 44 cm bar.
Thanks y'all :)

There isn't an agreed standard so manufacturers use either method. What one manufacturer calls a 42 cm another would call a 44cm. Makes it hard to order over the net unless you know which method a paticular manufacturer uses.

EDIT: Saying either method doesn't make any sense does it! Centre to centre or the outer edge to outer edge.

Regards, Anthony

what type of bar do you have and we can probably tell you if they measure c-c or o-o. Most of the Italian makers measure o-o from what I can tell, though I believe Cinelli is an exception. Both my Deda and 3TTT are o-o bars.

US manufacturers measure center to center. Their 46cm bars are true 46cm bars for example.

European companies also sell 46cm bars, but these are measured outer edge to outer edge so they are actually slightly less than 44cm.

P.S. This measurement takes place at the bar ends where the plugs go.

I went from a 46cm deda to a 44cm 3TTT... which is like going from a 44cm Bontrager to a 42cm FSA :p

Bontrager Race Road Os, 31.8mm Clamp on my Lemond Sarthe

those are measured center on center.

Best way to measure center on center is to measure from the inside edge to the outside edge of the opposite side. They could either be 46's or 44's.

Since your frame is a 61cm there is a good chance they are 46s?

They feel too wide or too narrow? or are you just curious?

well, the lemond site specifically states 460mm handlebar width.. those are some wide effin bars, that's for sure. 57/59/61 all have 46cm bars.

46 huh? That's cool. They just felt a little wider than my Allez bars.

The cool thing is that when I'm in the drops, My knees don't hit my elbows becasue I can tuck my knees insideof them better since the bars are so wide :) .

Specialized doesn't list on their site what size handlebars their bikes come with. I wouldn't be surprised to find that the Allez had a 44cm.

weird, they listed their HB widths last year. 58 and 62's Allez came with 44's

you tie a string around the handle bar, then mark it, then you go measure the string on a ruler. Come on now.

I thought trolls only came out at night?

And that seems pretty ******** to me. Normally if you're going to be big enough to ride a 62cm frame you're probably going to be a bit more broad in the shoulders and need something wider than a 44. Granted,
handlebars can always be swapped out when you purchase the bike but still.

whoops, i thought you meant handlebar diameter, never mind

So the standard way if i was to compare online measurements is handlebar end c-c?