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My new bike ? Narrow-minded

by Gerard Vroomen

July 15, 2011 - Filed under: Company

Comments (6)

The last component I added to my new bike were the handlebars, but one point I did not address yet was the width. I get asked on the “right” width from time to time, and as much as anybody just wants a simple answer, the problem with simple answers is that they are usually wrong.

You may know the rule about handlebar width matching shoulder width. Sounds logical. Then you ask yourself: “Why would my handlebars have to be the same width as my shoulders? There’s quite a bit of arm in-between!” Personally I like narrow bars, they make me feel compact and fast. Wide bars make me feel like I’m riding a cruiser.

Does bar width make a difference in my performance? Aerodynamically, the narrow bars probably are a bit better. Other than that I doubt it makes any difference. Some worry about the ability to breath, but with your arms free to take any position, I doubt that’s a real problem. It’s a little different with aerobars, where your elbows are locked in and hence if they are too narrow, it could affect the shape of your chest. But with dropbars that problem doesn’t exist.

What’s your favorite bar width? Let me know via twitter @gerardvroomen.

6 responses for this Entry

Mario Traversi says:

July 19, 2011

I believe bar width may be influenced by various factors. For example I rode a Felt F4 with 42cm bar and found it quite comfortable and easy to sprint with. The "climbing" bike geometry probably resembles an R3. I now ride an S2, also with a 42cm bar width, but now if feels tight and unstable, and sprinting out of the saddle efforts feel unstable. So much so that I thought my Felt bar was bigger.. measured and they're the same. So I don't think there is a single answer. I am definately considering a 44 for S2.. Will let you know how that works out

Berend De Schouwer says:

July 17, 2011

Too wide bars make my upper back work too hard. Not noticeable on 2hr rides, but definitely on 5hr rides. So now I ride bars equal to my shoulders.

That has since been mitigated by swimming lots :)

Don says:

July 16, 2011

I like a 42 cm width bar measured centre to centre. I have not tried one that is wider. I also like a bit of flair in the drop portion of the bar. While a narrow bar makes you feel "compact and fast", it makes me feel constrained and less balanced. I believe that I could adapt to a 40 cm bar but a 38 cm is not possible.

Peter-D. Munoz says:

July 15, 2011

Hi again,

Sorry, but when I wrote concerning the difference between 42 and 38cm bars, I meant to say 3/4 inch difference on each side-not total. Total is only around 1 and haf inches. That is my thumb width on each side. Nothing. So for people to say that this will affect my breathing is not correct.

Still having fun at the Thor Tour-Long Live Cervelo!

Peter-Dragonslayer Munoz

Peter-D. Munoz says:

July 15, 2011

You are so right. Your comment came at exactly the time I had also realized that for me at 5'7", a 42cm bar to big. So I have already decided to go with the 38cm bar. It weighs less, more aero, and only decreases 3/4 of an inch inward anyway. I mean that is a win-win situation.

Add to the fact that I will be buying the Vroomen White in January with the 3t 40 or 60mm rims, and I should have an aero bike that is around 13 to 14 pounds!

I am not a gram counter, but on the mountains you feel the weight. So I will have a little more speed with narrower bar, and fast frame tucking ability, plus ultra strong, light aero wheels-Cervelo is the best. Just ask Thor who just time-trialed, so to speak on the new S5. Hallelujah

Mark Schmelz says:

July 15, 2011

Gerard,

Love my 2008 R3. Many thanks.

Have your engineers ever looked into the degree to which using a bar that is of a different size than the one recommended by the "shoulder-width" rule compromises control of the bike when pedalling hard while gripping the bar ends (e.g. when sprinting)?