road handlebar width?
- Thread starter pudster
- Start date
measure from shoulder socket to shoulder socket in the front, where you can feel the protrusion of the bone. same size as that c-to-c.
I think Lemond used 44cm bars that today would be 46cm by the way bars are measured today (outside to outside). He was not a big person. We also use wider mountain bars and I don't think that that hinders your breathing. It is not good for aerodynamics but it does not matter on mountain bikes as much. I don't think that they should be as wide as mountain bars though.
well not all handlebars are measured outside to outside. My Ritchey is measured center to center.
Here's a thought. A narrower handlebar will make your steering a little bit more twitchy (smaller turning radius). And out of the saddle sprint and climbs, as you're pulling on the handle to sprint or climb fast, it would require you to keep a more stable balance. more wobbly another word.
A wider handlebar would give you a more neutral steering, albeit slower or less twitchy turn (larger turning radius). Out of the saddle sprint and climbing would give a little bit more stability. But too wide can make your arm fatigued, feeling too stretched.
All is taken into consideration of your bike characteristic (twitchy or more laid back handling) and of course, the all important, your shoulder width.
Hope that helps.
Here's a thought. A narrower handlebar will make your steering a little bit more twitchy (smaller turning radius). And out of the saddle sprint and climbs, as you're pulling on the handle to sprint or climb fast, it would require you to keep a more stable balance. more wobbly another word.
A wider handlebar would give you a more neutral steering, albeit slower or less twitchy turn (larger turning radius). Out of the saddle sprint and climbing would give a little bit more stability. But too wide can make your arm fatigued, feeling too stretched.
All is taken into consideration of your bike characteristic (twitchy or more laid back handling) and of course, the all important, your shoulder width.
Hope that helps.
^
It's mainly European bars that are measured outside to outside. Everybody has their preferences on bar width. The above method is good for getting in the ballpark and then figuring out what works for you. I prefer a slightly wider bar than most people my size because I find I breathe a bit better (asthmatic). Obviously, this increases drag but I'll take it.
It's mainly European bars that are measured outside to outside. Everybody has their preferences on bar width. The above method is good for getting in the ballpark and then figuring out what works for you. I prefer a slightly wider bar than most people my size because I find I breathe a bit better (asthmatic). Obviously, this increases drag but I'll take it.
