Wider handlebar theory
 

Has the general consensus on width of handlebars changed over the years?

Yesterday I took my Trek 2300 in to have it fitted properly. The fitter said my bars were too narrow at 40 or 42mm. He said my wrists were turned in a little too much for my shoulder width. I hadn't thought much about that until he mentioned it. He highly recommended wider bars (44mm) indicating he'd finish the fitting process when I got them.

When I got home I looked at my old '77 roadbike and noted its bars were even narrower than what the factory installed on the Trek.

So, I'm wondering, have studies been done concluding wider bars are better for roadbike riders nowadays or is this a gimmick to make another aftermarket sale?

I must agree that having a few mm wider bar would probably increase the comfort level and give the rider more room on top to vary hand position.

..rickko..

Wider bars are also supposed to open up your chest for better breathing too.

I went 2mm wider when building up my parts bike (from 40 to 42) and I like them so much I picked up a pair for my primary ride.

I like 'em. Better breathing--and more places to put my hands on long rides

Wider bars are easier to use nowadays. Back in the day, you had to reach in to your downtube to shift, so the wider your "stance" the harder it would be to shift safely.

Now that you can shift from the hoods/drops you can get away with a bar that is more optimized towards position.

I suppose you guys mean cm not mm right?

since the fitter was basing the handlebar width on the width of your shoulders, i'd say it doesn't really fall under the wider handlebar theory, rather what would work better for your physique.

Handlebar width should be based both on your shoulder width and your riding style. If your riding position is upright with straight arms, then a wider handlebar will be more comfortable. People who bend over more with bent elbows may prefer a narrower, more aero handlebar.

Thanks for the input!

I like the idea of 'opening up the chest for better breathing.' I'm hoping I'll get that effect.

I'm getting them changed out today, picking up bike tonight. Can't wait to see how it'll feel. Will let ya' know Friday.

..rickko..

Just finished my ride awhile ago and can report the wider bars are significantly more comfortable that what I had before. Only problem I experienced was, when the fitter raised my seat, he didn't move it forward to compensate for it naturally moving further back as it goes up so I felt a little stretched out.

Also, not sure where how the handlebars should be set up (i.e. should the bottom of the dropouts be parallel with the ground? That's how I set them.

Also I think the top of the brakes should come up towards me a little more. Like I said, I felt somewhat stretched out.

I haven't been a member here for very long so I haven't seen anything on fitting a bike to your body. I'll do a little searching. If someone would like to comment on positioning of handlebars, brakes, seat etc. I'd sure appreciate seeing it.

One question for sure is, should it be easy, comfortable, when resting hands in the little valley between the brakes and the handlebars? For me, I've got to stretch a little.

Thanks!
..rickko..

Tandems are usually spec'ed with wider bars, more so for control issues. I was so comfortable using 46cm bars on my tandem years ago that I switched all my bars and currently use them. Before that I was using 42's all along. They also make a big diff when hammering out of the saddle on climbs.