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Width of handlebars

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  • 12-04-2019 6:16pm
    #1
    teednab-el
    Registered Users Posts: 2,971 ✭✭✭


    Is it a major flaw using 42 mm handlebars instead of 44mm that were on a bike I had? Would I have less control and stability by doing so? I was fitted to a bike with 44 bars but recently got bars that were 42 and wondering can I ride with them?


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    #2
    ED E
    Registered Users Posts: 36,167 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    I'm a 44 but currently ride a 42 out of pure laziness to change em. The only loss is comfort.


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    #3
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 49,586 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    re 'can you ride with them' - yes, of course, it's not going to make much difference.

    i've got bikes with 44, 42 and 40 bars (all measured centre to centre). i think i'm naturally a 42, and find no issues with the 40s. the 44s do feel a bit wide, but that may just be that i rarely cycle that bike now so am unused to the sensation.


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    #4
    at1withmyself
    Registered Users Posts: 2,535 ✭✭✭at1withmyself


    teednab-el wrote: »
    Is it a major flaw using 42 mm handlebars instead of 44mm that were on a bike I had? Would I have less control and stability by doing so? I was fitted to a bike with 44 bars but recently got bars that were 42 and wondering can I ride with them?

    The width of the bars is normally measured against the width of your shoulders, a quick Google should give you some answers for how to measure your ideal size


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    #5
    Cee-Jay-Cee
    Registered Users Posts: 12,235 ✭✭✭✭Cee-Jay-Cee


    I rode 42cm bars for years then changed to 44cm and felt more comfortable. My Felt VR30 came fitted with 46cm bars which I love especially when riding out of the saddle.


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    #6
    Miklos
    Registered Users Posts: 985 ✭✭✭Miklos


    Why not try 32cm?

    skinny-bars---1-1522848044903-7dxu5wn745bl-630-80.jpg


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    #7
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    ^ Ridden by a man who is 6'4 tall.


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    #8
    tuxy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,983 ✭✭✭✭tuxy


    As narrow as you can go without it becoming uncomfortable will be more aerodynamic.


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    #9
    saccades
    Registered Users Posts: 1,261 ✭✭✭saccades


    I've got 800mm...


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    #10
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,927 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    If you go with the shoulder width measurement, I should be about a 44cm. Changed my road bike to 36cm after riding track for awhile, would never go back. I find it more comfy. This said, I can switch between bikes with various widths, they all feel odd for a few minutes but you get over that fairly quick. Rode my MTB for a few months and it felt nice, went back to the road bike and it felt awkward for about 20 minutes. Went on the MTB the next day and it felt uncontrollably wobbly for about 2 minutes.

    TL:Dr, it doesn't matter as much as the internet would have you believe and everyone is different.


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