Correct width of handle bars for mtb

[Iwan Kemp]

Yup. I have 690mm on my xc bike and 710mm on the am bike. I've tried the 710's on my xc bike and funnily enough there it feels too long again. Probably because the stem is longer on xc bike (100mm vs 70mm on the am bike)

 

It has been said that you should drop 10mm stem length for every 20mm you go wider. But that's all relative and assuming you're starting with the correct width / length ratio.

[RockCoach]

 

Discussing bar width on it's is a bit pointless as it's a combo of bar width, stem length, reach and then ultimately TT length as well.

 

Then throw in rise, sweep, stem stack height, headset spacers, HT length, stem rise / drop and before you know it there's a barney and someone's bringing a back-ho.

 

Agreed.

 

Most of the time I just ask people if they are comfortable doing a push up with the width bar they are using.