handlebars

[Andywinds]

Since I've had my new bike I've felt that when riding off the saddle I am a little bit unbalanced. I think my bars are about 420mm. My older bike seemed more stable with bars that are 450mm. I'm wide in the shoulders so maybe this is a factor? There are many bars out there so this is a mine field.

 

[MontyVeda]

someone once told me that the same width as your shoulders is a good rule of thumb... but i reckon you'll get used to them given time.

 

[lpretro1]

Get someone to measure across your back between to two bony points of your shoulder sockets and use that as a guide but not as hard and fast rule. Some people prefer a wide bar as it opens their chest up a little more - but the wider you go the more your body will lean forward. If you are used to a 45cm width and now on 42cm it will feel closed up/cramped. Those coming from an mtb background will often prefer a wider bar. Watch out for different manufacturers ways of measuring their bars - some measure centre to centre some measure outside to outside.

 

[Andywinds]

someone once told me that the same width as your shoulders is a good rule of thumb... but i reckon you'll get used to them given time.

Thanks for that I will have a look at this.

 

[Andywinds]

Get someone to measure across your back between to two bony points of your shoulder sockets and use that as a guide but not as hard and fast rule. Some people prefer a wide bar as it opens their chest up a little more - but the wider you go the more your body will lean forward. If you are used to a 45cm width and now on 42cm it will feel closed up/cramped. Those coming from an mtb background will often prefer a wider bar. Watch out for different manufacturers ways of measuring their bars - some measure centre to centre some measure outside to outside.

Yes I do feel very cramped on the bike. I have come from mtb'ing where I has used 720mm bars. When I used cow horns it was even wider!

 

[Andywinds]

Was is the idea of these two shapes? I will have to re-grip as well, so that might take some practice.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ritchey-wcs-evo-curve-road-handlebar-wet-black/

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/easton-ea50-ergo-road-handlebar-1/

 

[Sea of vapours]

Before spending any money on new bars, it would be well worth reading this article on drop bar shape options, pros and cons and then also then reading this one on brake hood/lever positioning.

It's surprising - or maybe not! - how much difference to comfort and position options on the bike subtle changes in bar shape make. I've just changed my bars for ones which are quite similar to the old ones, with very minor changes of the order of 10mm and the bike feels very notably different, and better.

 

[Andywinds]

Before spending any money on new bars, it would be well worth reading this article on drop bar shape options, pros and cons and then also then reading this one on brake hood/lever positioning.

It's surprising - or maybe not! - how much difference to comfort and position options on the bike subtle changes in bar shape make. I've just changed my bars for ones which are quite similar to the old ones, with very minor changes of the order of 10mm and the bike feels very notably different, and better.

OK will do, thanks for the links and advice.