How important is handle bar width?

birdy247
birdy247 Posts: 454
edited April 2010 in Training, fitness and health
On my commuting bike, its an old vintage fixie conversion, so the handle bars (drops) are fairly narrow compared to my main road bike.

I like it this way so I can squeeze through the traffic, but was wondering what implications (if any) it has?
www.turbotraining.co.uk

Comments

  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    birdy247 wrote:
    On my commuting bike, its an old vintage fixie conversion, so the handle bars (drops) are fairly narrow compared to my main road bike.

    I like it this way so I can squeeze through the traffic, but was wondering what implications (if any) it has?

    Some racers claim they like narrow bars for pretty much the same reason during races.
    I prefer wide bars (42-44's) as I have somewhat wide shoulders and it seems to help me breathe better with my hands further apart(to a point, of course).
  • bigpikle
    bigpikle Posts: 1,690
    if too narrow, your shoulders will be rotated inwards slightly and your arms will be closed across your chest. This closes the chest and wont help breathng etc as well as being less comfortable in the longer term.
    Your Past is Not Your Potential...
  • Tom Butcher
    Tom Butcher Posts: 3,830
    I don't buy that - doesn't seem to stop time triallists breathing OK which much narrower positions.
    it's a hard life if you don't weaken.
  • rokkala
    rokkala Posts: 649
    Tom Butcher wrote:
    I don't buy that - doesn't seem to stop time triallists breathing OK which much narrower positions.

    I don't buy that
  • SteveR_100Milers
    SteveR_100Milers Posts: 5,987
    Tom Butcher wrote:
    I don't buy that - doesn't seem to stop time triallists breathing OK which much narrower positions.

    Look at the TT position sticky, you can see that the upper arms and shoulders are rotated forward which leaves the chest cavity unimpeded. On a road bike the arms are generally further back and constricting the riders chest more.
    http://www.pontypoolrcc.co.uk/
    www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=44397853765
  • Tom Butcher
    Tom Butcher Posts: 3,830
    I'm not sure what you mean by the upper arm is rotated forward - there is definite adduction using tri bars to a much greater extent than there would be using narrower road bars - that seems to me to be the relevant point.

    There may be some difference in flexion/extension but I can't see how rotation really differs or that it would be relevant if it did. If you mean there is greater shoulder extension - I'm not sure that there is - or that it is relevant anyway.
    it's a hard life if you don't weaken.
  • bigpikle
    bigpikle Posts: 1,690
    dont know about the TT position, but sorting them out on my bike during a bike fit made a BIG difference to me on comfort levels, especially around neck and traps.
    Your Past is Not Your Potential...
  • SteveR_100Milers
    SteveR_100Milers Posts: 5,987
    Tom Butcher wrote:
    I'm not sure what you mean by the upper arm is rotated forward - there is definite adduction using tri bars to a much greater extent than there would be using narrower road bars - that seems to me to be the relevant point.

    There may be some difference in flexion/extension but I can't see how rotation really differs or that it would be relevant if it did. If you mean there is greater shoulder extension - I'm not sure that there is - or that it is relevant anyway.

    Look at te pics on the TT position thread - the picture of Hutch explains it nicely. Tribars mean your hands are much further forward, therefore your shoulders must be rotated further forward (think about looking at the shoulder side on as you move your arms back and forth it rotates clockwise and anticlockwise). In this forward position your arms are much further forward meaning the chest is free to open out more. It seems to work for the majority of people.
    http://www.pontypoolrcc.co.uk/
    www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=44397853765
  • Abdoujaparov
    Abdoujaparov Posts: 642
    No need to discuss the mechanics of seating positions. Just try out the two positions (TT and normal) and its clear that a good TT position (with elbows reasonably close together) is more restrictive on breathing.

    I can't see breathing being a big factor in deciding whether to go with normal bars that are a couple of inches narrower. Surely comfort is the thing...
  • Abdoujaparov
    Abdoujaparov Posts: 642
    Abdoujaparov wrote:
    No need to discuss the mechanics of seating positions. Just try out the two positions (TT and normal) and its clear that a good TT position (with elbows reasonably close together) is more restrictive on breathing.

    I can't see breathing being a big factor in deciding whether to go with normal bars that are a couple of inches narrower. Surely comfort is the thing...

    ...if you want to stay with wider bars
  • mtb-idle
    mtb-idle Posts: 2,179
    coming from a different perspective, wider bars will give a more stable, less twitchy ride.
    FCN = 4

Categories