Tell me about bar widths

juvel01 said:

I am in the process of building a new road bike bike and I have a question related to bar width. Textbook, I am supposed to ride a 38, however, I seem to be more comfortable on a 42, I tend to ride wide. Now, I'm reading that for better rideability and aerodynamics I should be riding on the smaller bar. I have also heard that riding a bar that is too wide can cause shoulder issues. How much difference will it make in my riding?

Not sure what difference it would make to your riding apart from aerodynamics, all i know is that i have always been told that bar width should equal shoulder width, sorry can't be of any more help than that.

Tatti

aerodynamics is minimal -- go with what's comfortable.

if you're uncomfortable, you'll really be [censored]. I had narrow bars on one of my bikes and I couldn't stand it.

If a road rider really wants to be aero, they'll have aero bars, or they'll ride like this for periods of time, or even with the hands on the tops
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/gallery/2006/LarryH/WinterSeries/Sen1/images/0_WinterSeries_Seniors_062.jpg

Tatti said:

Not sure what difference it would make to your riding apart from aerodynamics, all i know is that i have always been told that bar width should equal shoulder width, sorry can't be of any more help than that.

Tatti

Ride what is comfortable.

If i go by the textbook I should be using a 40. From experimentation I breath better with a wide bar, a 44 in particular.

juvel01 said:

I am in the process of building a new road bike bike and I have a question related to bar width. Textbook, I am supposed to ride a 38, however, I seem to be more comfortable on a 42, I tend to ride wide. Now, I'm reading that for better rideability and aerodynamics I should be riding on the smaller bar. I have also heard that riding a bar that is too wide can cause shoulder issues. How much difference will it make in my riding?

One note: American brands like Ritchey measure their bars center to center (c-to-c), while Italian bars (3TTT, Deda, ITM) measure outside to outside (o-to-o). Also, some brands flare out at the drops (3TTT is one). I have noticed that a set of 44 cm 3TTT's that I own are about a centimeter narrower at the bends (where I spend most of my time) than a set of 42 Ritchey's that I also own. Consider the depth of the reach and drop as well. If you spend several hours a week on the road, comfort is key.