How would you know if handlebars are not wide enough for you? Are there some kind of ratios that are set as a standard for that? I'm starting to think that mine aren't wide enough for me, but then again I may not know any better.

measure the distance in cm between the bony bits that sitck out on the top of each shoulder....that should be about the width you are after, but is by no means set in stone.
Lots of riders prefer narrower bars for crit racing or track to get through gaps, or wider bars for a more open chest and wider hand spacing on the tops.

It's up up to you.

My LBS has a 30 day fit guarantee. I'd hate to let that expire and then realize that my handlebar is not the right width. I'll do some measuring of the bony bits and compare.

I was told basically that it should be your shoulder with and its not good if its smaller or larger. im not sure where i read that.

I've heard they should be the same width as your shoulders. After about 4 months on my Lemond I figured the stock bars were to narrow. I got a set of 46cm bars and the difference is amazing. I'm much more comfortable and I seem to have more power and control.

I'm on 46s, but ITM measure outside to outside. V. comfy.

Outside to outside of shoulder?
The feeling that they're too narrow becomes more obvious in the drops. Did you guys feel that way?

out-to-out of the bars. Other manufacturers measure centre-to-centre.

What is the accepted measuring method? Outside to outside or center to center? If I am buying via Internet or mail order how would I know how the item was measured?

should be on the manufacturers home page, or ring your LBS and ask.

So what you are saying is that there is no standard method.

I'm more confused now than before I started this thread.

Stand comfortably upright...have someone measure the width of your shoulders from behind...now measure the width of your handlebars across the top from the outside of the tubes...they should be the same.
That being said, my shoulders call for a 46cm bar and I ride a 44cm bar becasue I find that more comfortable.

I did. It seemed like I was scrunched up when riding, especially in the drops.

To me narrow bars are most obvious when you are climbing out of the saddle. In the drops (sprinting) definitely also.

When I went from 40's to 46's I felt I could really mash away and still control the bike when I needed too.

Bars should be consistently measured center-to-center, but a lot do it outside -to- outside. A set of 46cm bars measured outside-to- outside are actually a hair under 44cm if you measure them center to center.

Mine are measured 46 center to center (they would be equal to bars 48+ if measured outside to outside)

true. Experiment and find a manufacturer and width you're happy with.

Unfortunately for some of us, they don't make bars wide enough. I could really us a 48cm bar. Yes, I have broad shoulders.......ladies

These Salsas are 46 c-c at the top and around 50 in the drops.

Click pic.

Haven't seen any wider than that.

Cross bars are cool.

Have you tried https://www.wrenchscience.com/ . They have a fit calculator.

I'll give that a try.

They do make a 48cm center-to-center bar. Try Rivendell. You'd gave to put up with tradition drops (they are made by Nitto)

Thanks!

Whoa!!!!! I like those.