Bar width for the larger rider

Zoomer37
Zoomer37 Posts: 725
edited February 2012 in Road buying advice
Interested to know what size bars people who are a bit wider at the top use on here.

I ask as ive used Syntace Racelights 42cm (c - c) for the last year and they have always felt a little bit cramped when coming out of the saddle for climbing and sprinting so thinking about going up to a 44

I've just picked up 2 sets of 3T Ergonova's

A 44cm c-c which are 42cm across the top and 46cm which are 44cm across the tops.

Quick ride with the 46cm bars (44 c-c at the top) yesterday and they feel really nice when out of the saddle, but quite wide when seated and on the hoods. I know its probably just down to personal choice, but do 44's seem about right for someone like myself with a 52cm width shoulder?

Comments

  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,190
    where are you measuring your shoulder width?

    for bars, the usual method is measure distance between the tips of the protruding bone at the front of each shoulder, then use bars with the same centre-to-centre width on the drops (not all bars are specified c-to-c, some go outside-to-outside in which case knock off 2cm to get c-to-c)

    afaik it takes a while to get used to a change in bars, so i'd be wary of first impressions with a new width
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • Zoomer37
    Zoomer37 Posts: 725
    sungod wrote:
    where are you measuring your shoulder width?

    Across the back of the shoulders at the top. Its 58cm not 52cm Ive just been told.
  • thegreatdivide
    thegreatdivide Posts: 5,807
    I'm only 5.7 but very broad shouldered and my bike fit came up with a need for 44cm bars. Currently using Ritchey Evo Curve on the best bike which I find incredibly comfortable. I've got 44cm Cinelli bars on the winter bike which will be getting changed to Evo's soon. However on the summer trainer I've got 42cm FSA SL-K bars and they really feel cramped.
  • bristolpete
    bristolpete Posts: 2,255
    Zoomer, I went from 42 cc to 44 and what a difference, better on the climbs, sprints, but also on that rut right in the middle of the neck. Gone now and used to irritate the shit out of me on long long rides.

    I have also been doing 2/3 sessions of weights at the gym a week, lateral pull, bench and shoulder press which all help with supporting the neck and extending the reach - I usually work it to finish with an extra set of 5 x 20 lateral pull.

    I think we are similar so reckon 44 cc is they way to go.
  • Zoomer37
    Zoomer37 Posts: 725
    Cheers lads. Going to give the 44's a shot for a couple of weeks and see how I get on.

    The 2cm difference on the hoods does feel very wide at the moment, but adjustments as always on the things take time to get used to.

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