Handlebar width

[Dombo]

Anybody got a view on this? Bloke at Cyclefit said mine were too wide at 44cms both for the size of frame (55cms) and my shoulder width. I never really noticed as coming from mtb background bars tend to be wider anyway, but my bars definitely seem wider than others I've seen ridden by people much broader than me.

[Ivor]

firstly as a general rule of thumb they should be the same width as your shoulders.
never heard anyone say there's any relationship between frame size and handlebar width though, unless he means the reach is wrong.
on the other hand.... as with anything in cycling... if they work for you and you're comfortable. then they're the right size.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

[quote="Ivor"]firstly as a general rule of thumb they should be the same width as your shoulders.
never heard anyone say there's any relationship between frame size and handlebar width though, unless he means the reach is wrong.
on the other hand.... as with anything in cycling... if they work for you and you're comfortable. then they're the right size.

[Dombo]

yes the frame size/bar width threw me too. plenty of people my height but very broad. My bars are measured c-c, I did it myself between the tops of the STI hoods

[Sylv]

[quote]firstly as a general rule of thumb they should be the same width as your shoulders.

[quote="Sylv"][quote]firstly as a general rule of thumb they should be the same width as your shoulders.

[Alex S]

there is a relationship with frame size, well, at least with specialized, they put wider bars on bigger frames.

i know 54cm is around 42cm bar and 56 is 44cm bar. cant remememeber the others.

[Ivor]

[quote="Alex S"]there is a relationship with frame size, well, at least with specialized, they put wider bars on bigger frames.

i know 54cm is around 42cm bar and 56 is 44cm bar. cant remememeber the others.

[Jon H]

Marek uses the same logic for Polish sausage

[Andrew G]

If you can't reach them then they're probably too wide.

Shoulder width is a good guide but as said it varies from manufacturer what that'll be depending on whether measured from outside edge or centre of tube. Some of mine are quoted as 44 some are 42. The measurement is from the end of the drops where the tube ends.

[Mike I]

I've never heard of a relationship between frame size and bar width, but can see the manufacturers' logic of big frame = wide bars.

Anyway, 42cm Deda shallow drop are obviously the way to go - unless of course you don't share my size, proportions and (lack of) flexibility. Seriously though, it's been farewell to aching shoulder misery since I switched from 44cm, so it's worth getting right.