How critical is bar width?

lvquestpaddler

Just discovered my bars are only 40cm c-c, bike is small size but i'm quite broad across the shoulders. What real difference will an extra 2cm either side make? As far as I can see it will just make the chest area more like a sail, surely the narrower the better as long as breathing is not impaired?
Any advice appreciated, can't be bothered fitting new bars to a fairly new bike, have just fitted tri bars so wider bars won't make any difference to them will they?? :?

Slow Downcp

I find narrow bars uncomfortable, I guess if they're too narrow they can as you say restrtict breathing

lvquestpaddler

So where would I measure from to work out my "ideal" size? Somewhere halfway between armpit upper and outer shoulder? My OH has just done the rough outer to outer size and that's 44cm, surely the 2cm inward either side would make it closer to where the actual joint is?

APIII

I was told years ago that your bars should match the width of your shoulders so your arms are perpendicular to the bars. Too narrow, or too wide, would stress the shoulder muscles unnecessarily. If you don't get any discomfort though, it doesn't make much sense to change them.

APIII

lvquestpaddler wrote:

So where would I measure from to work out my "ideal" size? Somewhere halfway between armpit upper and outer shoulder? My OH has just done the rough outer to outer size and that's 44cm, surely the 2cm inward either side would make it closer to where the actual joint is?

The boney bit on the back of your shoulder

lvquestpaddler

Just done 27 miles on the hoods/drops/tri bars(they kind of take up the bar space either side of the stem now) and no discomfort whatsoever in any position. If the arms were locked out it'd be different I suppose but the slight bend in the elbows for "suspension" brings them in a bit anyway!
I did 52 miles(minus tri bars) a month ago, again no discomfort or pain...think I've answered my own question!

Berk Bonebonce

Note that some manufacturers measure their bars outside to outside at drops, while others measure centre to centre at drops.

You cannot really 'work out' ideal size. You buy and you try.

ajb72

Incorrect size bars can have a very detrimental effect on riding comfort, although I imagine more so if you are riding on bars that are too wide, rather than too narrow. I struggled with neck and shoulder aches for months until I worked this out and fitted 42's instead of 44's - instant relief from pain!

Just be aware though that fitting wider bars will have the effect of of stretching you out a little further - giving you a less upright position if that makes sense. You might need to also shorten the stem length to achieve the same position on your bike. For me 2cm narrower bars needed a 10mm longer stem to compensate.