Choosing handlebar width?

[HardwareLust]

I've been told from several sources when fitting a road bike, that you
should choose bars that are approximately shoulder width.

It seems, after watching the pros on TV for several years, that not everyone
follows this particular bit of wisdom. It would seem to me that some pros
have bars that are wider than what conventional wisdom would indicate.

Any comments on choosing the proper (drop bar) handlebar width? Is this
like an "aero-penalty-versus-comfort" type of thing? I was thinking a
slightly wider bar (like a 46 vs. my current 44) might be more comfortable
on the road. Am I wrong in thinking this?

Regards,
H.

 

[Ken]

"HardwareLust" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> Any comments on choosing the proper (drop bar) handlebar width? Is this
> like an "aero-penalty-versus-comfort" type of thing? I was thinking a
> slightly wider bar (like a 46 vs. my current 44) might be more
> comfortable on the road. Am I wrong in thinking this?

Handlebars as wide as your shoulders depends somewhat on how you measure your
shoulders. Another guideline is that the handlebars should be as wide as the
widest part of your chest. Women with narrow shoulders may want to make
their handlebars as wide as their hips, otherwise their knees could be
bumping into the handlebars.

Yes, tourists often choose slightly wider handlebars for more stability when
you're riding on the brake hoods. Some racers choose slightly narrower
handlebars for more maneuverability.

 

[Booker C. Bense]

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----

In article <[email protected]>,
HardwareLust <[email protected]> wrote:
>I've been told from several sources when fitting a road bike, that you
>should choose bars that are approximately shoulder width.

_ I think this is just a rule of thumb that works for most
people. A lot depends on the rest of your riding position.

>
>It seems, after watching the pros on TV for several years, that not everyone
>follows this particular bit of wisdom. It would seem to me that some pros
>have bars that are wider than what conventional wisdom would indicate.

_ Are they perhaps climbing or sprinting specialists? Wider bars
really help when you're out of the saddle.

>
>Any comments on choosing the proper (drop bar) handlebar width? Is this
>like an "aero-penalty-versus-comfort" type of thing? I was thinking a
>slightly wider bar (like a 46 vs. my current 44) might be more comfortable
>on the road. Am I wrong in thinking this?
>

_ Unfortunately, the only way to know is to try and a lot depends
on what you're used to. I road 38cm bars for years because that
was what was on my bike and poor grad students don't have money
to experiment. I've tried wider bars and you can definitely go
too wide. 42cm seems about right for me, which is slightly
narrower than the common wisdom would suggest. At this point I'm
only concerned with comfort on long rides. I think wider is
generally more comfortable until you get wide enough that it gets
difficult to ride in the drops. Also, you have to look at the
style of the bar, IMHO the width across the top bends is much
more important than the width at the bar ends[1]. What works
for me is to have the bars "wide enough" so that your hands
naturely rest centered on the top of the drops before the
brake levers. I wouldn't get wider bars unless you feel like
you have to "squeeze in" to rest your hands on the bars.

_ Booker C. Bense


[1]- This is the standard place to measure bar width. On a
standard bend bar it's roughly the same, on a flared bar
it can be quite different.


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[Peter Cole]

"HardwareLust" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've been told from several sources when fitting a road bike, that you
> should choose bars that are approximately shoulder width.
>
> It seems, after watching the pros on TV for several years, that not everyone
> follows this particular bit of wisdom. It would seem to me that some pros
> have bars that are wider than what conventional wisdom would indicate.
>
> Any comments on choosing the proper (drop bar) handlebar width? Is this
> like an "aero-penalty-versus-comfort" type of thing? I was thinking a
> slightly wider bar (like a 46 vs. my current 44) might be more comfortable
> on the road. Am I wrong in thinking this?

Unfortunately, handlebars seem to be one of those individual preferences that
is hard to experiment with. I retired an old (42) set and replaced it with a
46 and kicked myself for not doing it sooner. I have big shoulders, so I
should have known it would be better. I discovered that I didn't like the
shallower drops on the new ones though. Oh well, in another few years I'll get
to experiment again.

 

[Mark]

"HardwareLust" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I've been told from several sources when fitting a road bike, that you
> should choose bars that are approximately shoulder width.
>
> It seems, after watching the pros on TV for several years, that not everyone
> follows this particular bit of wisdom. It would seem to me that some pros
> have bars that are wider than what conventional wisdom would indicate.
>
> Any comments on choosing the proper (drop bar) handlebar width? Is this
> like an "aero-penalty-versus-comfort" type of thing? I was thinking a
> slightly wider bar (like a 46 vs. my current 44) might be more comfortable
> on the road. Am I wrong in thinking this?
>
> Regards,
> H.

I'm certainly no expert, but you are correct in my way of thinking.
You must've had "thoughts" about the wider bar, and if you're a big
person (6'+), a 46cm may be just what you need?

Remember this, if your buying online, make sure you know if the bar is
measured center to center, or end to end on the bars. Different
Manufacturers use these two different methods of sizing. Mark

 

[Jay Hill]

HardwareLust wrote:

> It seems, after watching the pros on TV for several years, that not everyone
> follows this particular bit of wisdom. It would seem to me that some pros
> have bars that are wider than what conventional wisdom would indicate.
>
I think bars have gotten wider over the last few years, simply by
fashion. Narrower bars are better aerodynamically, but wider bars allow
better breathing. You have to experiment & see what you like.

 

[HardwareLust]

Mark wrote:
> I'm certainly no expert, but you are correct in my way of thinking.
> You must've had "thoughts" about the wider bar, and if you're a big
> person (6'+), a 46cm may be just what you need?

Yup. I'm thinking with more room on the tops (esp. if I want to use a
clip-on aero bar), and more room to breathe when on the hoods or the drops
will be better. (I am exactly 6' tall, BTW...)

Unfortunately, it can be an expensive part to 'experiment' with, esp. if
you're looking to upgrade to a carbon bar! I might just buy a cheap used
alloy one though just to try it out and see if I'm right.

> Remember this, if your buying online, make sure you know if the bar is
> measured center to center, or end to end on the bars. Different
> Manufacturers use these two different methods of sizing. Mark

True dat. Good advice.

Regards,
H.

 

[WheelsDealsThings]

The wider the bars relative to your body the more you will pinch in between
your shoulder blades.
"Jay Hill" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> HardwareLust wrote:
>
> > It seems, after watching the pros on TV for several years, that not
everyone
> > follows this particular bit of wisdom. It would seem to me that some
pros
> > have bars that are wider than what conventional wisdom would indicate.
> >
> I think bars have gotten wider over the last few years, simply by
> fashion. Narrower bars are better aerodynamically, but wider bars allow
> better breathing. You have to experiment & see what you like.
>
>

 

[HardwareLust]

WheelsDealsThings wrote:
> The wider the bars relative to your body the more you will pinch in
> between your shoulder blades.

That is a very good point I had not considered yet. Now I'm certain I'll
buy a cheap bar first to try it out.

Once again, R.B.T proves it's worth.

Regards,
H.

 

[Qui si parla Campagnolo]

noone-<< Any comments on choosing the proper (drop bar) handlebar width?
>><BR><BR>


'GENERAL' rule of thumb-find the 'points' in the front of your shoulders. Kinda
where your arms come from, Measure that and add 2cm. You want to have arms that
are generally parallel to the top tube when in the drops BUT if ya like
narrower(Chris Boardman likes 38cm hbars) or wider, use them.

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

 

[David Reuteler]

HardwareLust <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> Mark wrote:
>> I'm certainly no expert, but you are correct in my way of thinking.
>> You must've had "thoughts" about the wider bar, and if you're a big
>> person (6'+), a 46cm may be just what you need?
>
> Yup. I'm thinking with more room on the tops (esp. if I want to use a
> clip-on aero bar), and more room to breathe when on the hoods or the drops
> will be better. (I am exactly 6' tall, BTW...)

maybe. or maybe not. i'm 6'2" but narrow and i ride 39 or 40cm bars and
every time i try anything larger (42cm+) i feel like i'm splayed out and
propping myself up at an ackward angle. i notice no difference between 40
& >= 42 wrt my ability to breathe. i think this comes from people who are
quite wide riding stupidly narrow bars but i doubt going larger than the
width of your shoulder will help you to breathe any better.

begin by matching your bars to your width at the shoulders.

> Unfortunately, it can be an expensive part to 'experiment' with, esp. if
> you're looking to upgrade to a carbon bar! I might just buy a cheap used
> alloy one though just to try it out and see if I'm right.

sure is a pain in the ass.
--
david reuteler
[email protected]

 

[(Pete Cresswell)]

RE/
>The wider the bars relative to your body the more you will pinch in between
>your shoulder blades.

Is this felt in neck too? I'm riding really-wide bars and also have some
trouble with my neck that I have been attributing to too bent-over a posture
coupled with advancing age.
--
PeteCresswell

 

[Bow]

I was lucky enough to get a bike fit from a physiotherapist from AIS
(Australian Institute of Sport), who specializes in cyclists and
triathletes. After a gruelling 30 minutes on a turbotrainer (I dont think
he was used to seeing people so unfit) and a short interview he gave me my
theoretical bike fit. Among other recommendations he told me to dump the
38s and go to a 42.

I then went to a reputable LBS, who grabbed a few handlebars and slipped
them over my arms near my shoulders. I was standing upright, with arms
hanging loosely by my sides. He tossed the bars that were tight or didn't
make contact, and then proclaimed that I was probably best suited to...(drum
roll...dramatic pause)...a size 42. These bars made a snug fit, but not
tight.

I dont know if this is a standard sizing practice, but this guy was pretty
spot on with all other advise. The bars are on their way, but it was
interesting that they both came up with the same "ideal" width.

Of course, both said that personal choice is very important, but with the
narrower bars, the physio said it was restricting my breathing - which is
all the more obvious now that someone has pointed it out.

B

"Qui si parla Campagnolo " <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> noone-<< Any comments on choosing the proper (drop bar) handlebar width?
> >><BR><BR>
>
>
> 'GENERAL' rule of thumb-find the 'points' in the front of your shoulders.
Kinda
> where your arms come from, Measure that and add 2cm. You want to have arms
that
> are generally parallel to the top tube when in the drops BUT if ya like
> narrower(Chris Boardman likes 38cm hbars) or wider, use them.
>
> Peter Chisholm
> Vecchio's Bicicletteria
> 1833 Pearl St.
> Boulder, CO, 80302
> (303)440-3535
> http://www.vecchios.com
> "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

 

[Bruce Frech]

Using shoulder width to determine handlebar width would make sense if you
were putting the handlebars on your shoulder.

Having said that, there is one reason to use shoulder width: when riding is
narrow situations (tight packs) you can judge if your shoulders will fit in
the gap by looking to see if your handlebars fit. But gaps change by
centimeters in the time it takes to slip through, so use that information
with caution.

You should use whatever width feels comfortable. Some people are
comfortable with their hands closer to the center. When you put you hands
on the tops, even the widest bars give a much narrower width then your
shoulders.

Limiting factors: bars only come is a small range of sizes, much smaller
then the range of shoulder sizes.


Bruce

 

[John Forrest Tomlinson]

On Wed, 14 Jul 2004 09:41:06 GMT, "Bruce Frech"
<bfrech@no_spam_verizon.net> wrote:

>Having said that, there is one reason to use shoulder width: when riding is
>narrow situations (tight packs) you can judge if your shoulders will fit in
>the gap by looking to see if your handlebars fit.

This is a joke, right?

JT

 

[Robin Hubert]

"WheelsDealsThings" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> The wider the bars relative to your body the more you will pinch in between
> your shoulder blades.

This is not true. Anyone that doesn't believe should try for
themselves. Scapulae only move towards the midline when extending the
shoulders. Flexing the shoulders rotates the scapulae laterally
across the rib cage. Where do your arms move anyway? How about "at
the shoulder joint"?

Robin Hubert

 

[TDWFL]

> "HardwareLust" [email protected] wrote: >Yup. I'm thinking with more room on
the tops (esp. if I want to use a
>clip-on aero bar),

>Unfortunately, it can be an expensive part to 'experiment' with, esp. if
>you're looking to upgrade to a carbon bar!

Some carbon bars may not be compatible with clip-on aero bars.

 

[Booker C. Bense]

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----

In article <[email protected]>,
(Pete Cresswell) <[email protected]> wrote:
>RE/
>>The wider the bars relative to your body the more you will pinch in between
>>your shoulder blades.
>
>Is this felt in neck too? I'm riding really-wide bars and also have some
>trouble with my neck that I have been attributing to too bent-over a posture
>coupled with advancing age.

_ I am not a doctor, but in my experiments with wide bars, neck
pain seems part of the deal. However, there are a zillion things
that can cause neck pain and I would definitely experiment with
bar height before switching bars if you're happy otherwise. For
me neck pain is a secondary system, I notice it first in my
shoulders.

_ Booker C. Bense


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