handlebar width

dombo6

At a recent fitting session I was told my bars were too wide, both for my size and the frame (44cms on a 55cm frame). I'm 5'8" and narrow across the shoulders, but did not really notice the bars as being too wide as my background is mtb-ing where wider bars eg 26" (approx 66cms) are the norm.
What do people usually have? The fitting guy suggested I go for a 40cm which has my arms in almost a dead straight line down from the shoulder.
Any advice/abuse much appreciated

redddraggon

I use 40cm (c-c) bars and I'm 5'7" ish, found them far better fitting than the 44cm bars I had before.

mattpage

I've setup my road bike to mimic my MTB as much as possible, because thats what I race.

I am 5'7" on a 52cm frame and using 44cm bars.
If I was racing on the road, then I would consider a narrower bar, but no less than 42cm.

I think it depends largely on how serious your riding is and comfort. If your happy with the wider bars then stick with them.

Slow1972

I think the "theory" is along the lines that if your bars are too wide it causes you to narrow your back between the shoulder blades which can cause muscular discomfort over longer distances, narrow bars, you close your chest up/stretch the muscles across your back. Correct position is supposed to be neutral (so as your arms / shoulders would be naturally be if not gripping on to the bars).

Usual measurement is as you say to match the distance c-c of the bars with c-c of your shoulder joints so your height is theoretically irrelevant to bar width

Its a bit different road biking to mountain biking as ride position is a bit more "elbows out" on a mountain bike as you are using your arms as part of the overall "suspension" - not so aero or good in a bunch on a road bike.

Suppose part of it will also dependon where you spend most of the time positioning your hands on the bars, if you're on the hoods or drops its opening you up, if you hold the bars more on the tops then your arms are probably straight.

Took me quite a while to drop the wide elbows position when I started riding a road bike instead of my mountain bike

Apparently Boardman preferred narrow bars on his road bike as they made him a bit more aero

If you're comfortable I wouldnt worry though

Mettan

I started with with 44cm bars - was happy enough with them - ended up getting some 42cm FSA Omega Compacts - again, happy with these - definately didn't notice that "breathing restriction" thingy from using somewhat narrower bars.