Handlebar width to shoulder width, what's yours? [Road]

[Schmorglebot]

I know Friday is the worst time to post a semi-serious question, but here goes:

 

How did you come to find your preferred handlebar width? Trial and error, whatever came on the bike, what a bike fitter suggested, shoulder width?

 

To me logic says that the most aero solution is to have bars that are at least as narrow as your shoulders. Unfortunately that puts me in the region of 36cm when stretched out.

 

I currently ride 40cm c2c

[Kalahari Vegmot]

Shoulder width. 40cm c-c(I think?)

[shaper]

Measured my shoulder width, race bike has 42cm, although one of my other bikes has 44cm, just because I had them handy for the build.  Don't notice any difference.

[Schmorglebot]

Measured my shoulder width, race bike has 42cm, although one of my other bikes has 44cm, just because I had them handy for the build.  Don't notice any difference.

 

Do you think its even worth trying to track down some 34/36cm bars?

[shaper]

Do you think its even worth trying to track down some 34/36cm bars?

I would not go less than 40cm... purely on trying to keep stability of the front end of the bike.  Too narrow might have an affect on this..... but IDK, maybe there has been some studies done with regard to how narrow you can go without affecting handling?

 

Edit:

 

You can get 36/38cm http://www.petitebikefit.com/resources-2/the-right-size-handlebars/

 

Smaller you will likely have to look at specific bars made for children

[Fat Boab]

I know Friday is the worst time to post a semi-serious question, but here goes:

 

How did you come to find your preferred handlebar width? Trial and error, whatever came on the bike, what a bike fitter suggested, shoulder width?

 

To me logic says that the most aero solution is to have bars that are at least as narrow as your shoulders. Unfortunately that puts me in the region of 36cm when stretched out.

 

I currently ride 40cm c2c

 

How are you measuring your shoulder width? And does it have anything to do with measuring FTP.... it is Friday after all!

[Jewbacca]

Sjoe... I have only ever ridden 44 and 42 bars... Everything else seems cramped and unstable at speed.

[Kalahari Vegmot]

There's a theory that you need to go wider to 'open up' your chest to breath better. It doesn't hold air IMO.

 

The real thing with bar width though is bike fit. You want your arms in a perfect position to support you correctly.

[shaper]

http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/would-you-benefit-from-narrower-handlebars-199446

[Schmorglebot]

http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/would-you-benefit-from-narrower-handlebars-199446

 

This seems to really punt the benefits of narrower bars, less frontal area, and better air flow over the legs

[shaper]

This seems to really punt the benefits of narrower bars, less frontal area, and better air flow over the legsI

If you are track racing with no brakes or your bike is set up like a track bike

 

Think it says that there is no defined rule really and should be up to the individual.