Wanted to try a set of flatbars that I had sitting around and was wondering about what width to cut them. I wanted to try and get them narrower than my risers but not go too crazy. 38cm is about 15 inches I was thinking about 16 would leave room for grips and levers but still be fairly narrow.

Just wondering what people who use them generally cut them down to.

Thoughts? Primarily for urban riding.

Narrow bars are useless. Cut them shoulder width. I like mine a bit longer than my shoulder width.

Shoulder width because if the bars fit the rest of you will

It all depends. If you bike is all neon colorway and you want to go with that uber-fixie look then cut them as short as the grips will fit on em. However shoulder width is more practical

I like short bars cause this way I can ride between cars when there's traffic but I've never used flatbars, only bullhorns, usually 38cm's.

I think you have the right idea, cut at 16 and see if you like it. You can always cut more off.

Before you cut anything...grab a yardstick and hold it in front of you, bring the stick to your chest and push it back out again narrow your grip until its uncomfortable to touch your chest with the stick...then return to where is was last comfortable. Also remember the narrower your grip is the more your elbows stick out and catch on things

Pipe cutter wheel broke in middle of cutting. Project abandoned for the moment.

Put your thumbs against your stem, cut the bars to the width of your hand.













Seriously though, shoulder width, plus 1/2" either side for room to breathe.

Exactly why bamboo handlebars are so much more superior to steel/aluminum

You should cut a bit at a time and test. Narrower is always better for clearance in traffic (your shoulders aren't at passenger car mirror height, your bars are. plus, you can twist your body to clear things, but not your bars.), but there are limits to your ability to control steering and comfort.

Personally, my shoulders are about 48cm and my chest will start to feel too pinched by about 40cm bars or a little less. I feel like I'm definitely trading off perceptible steering control by 44cm, which is where i ran my last flat bar.

80 years ago they had it going on.

I wonder if Nitto makes NJS stamped O-ring handlebars. Looks sick