pros n cons of a long handlebar?

[jeff_o]

i was measuring and weighing my bike the other night, and only to realize i'm using a 40cm handlebar. i thought i was using a 42 or 44.

if I switch to 42 or 44, what are the advantages? more stable steering? but isn't that affected by a long/short stem as well?

[Strawburger]

I went the other way - changed from a 42 to a 38. Increased stability in my case - less twitchy and cornering has improved. I've got a short & narrow body. The handlebar size should relate to shoulder width.

[philip]

Strange that you say it's less twitchy Strawburger, smaller bars should make it twitchier because the same amount of bar movement will result in a larger wheel movement, which is what I've noticed when going from 44-42.

Some people say they can get more leverage during a sprint with wider bars. I went to 42 from 44 because I felt that 44 was too wide, it felt like my arms were going outwards from my shoulders slightly, making me less aero too. I have found 42 much more comfortable. It's really just a personal thing, go with what you're comfortable with.

[jeff_o]

that's what i feel when i sprint.... unstable with the bars. i think i should go with a 42 or 44. haha one good reason for upgrade... but I'm sure it will be hard to find a 42 or 44 bar for me as I'm using a 1" quill stem.

[Strawburger]

Strange that you say it's less twitchy Strawburger, smaller bars should make it twitchier because the same amount of bar movement will result in a larger wheel movement, which is what I've noticed when going from 44-42.

Yeah it's a strange one i agree - Wider bars = less twitch. Perhaps my set up was such that my weight/strength wasn't evenly distributed causing it to twitch. Bringing the bars in has helped handling significantly. I'm no longer reaching out to the bars, it feels more natural where they are now.

[sogood]

Narrow bars are more aero as width is a major factor in the Cd number. So theoretically giving a higher sprinting top speed and extended energy saving on a long ride.

[Nobody]

Some people say they can get more leverage during a sprint with wider bars.

I've found this. I went wider on the MTB from about 55 to 68cm and immediately noticed I could push bigger gears. SS MTBers who often struggle with high loads find wider bars better. Not helping with road, but a good example of what you're talking about. I use a 38cm drop bar on the road though.

[jeff_o]

Some people say they can get more leverage during a sprint with wider bars.

I've found this. I went wider on the MTB from about 55 to 68cm and immediately noticed I could push bigger gears. SS MTBers who often struggle with high loads find wider bars better. Not helping with road, but a good example of what you're talking about. I use a 38cm drop bar on the road though.

nobody, what's your height and weight if you don't mind me asking? i'm 5-9 and 69kgs. i measured my shoulders just now and it came up as 42cm measured on imaginary center to center of shoulders topview.

[Nobody]

No, I don't mind.
80Kg
173cm or 5'8"

I went to a Naturopath briefly who said I should be 73Kg. Most people that actually meet me usually disagree and think my current weight is about right (medium build). But then we live in a country with a lot of "heavy" people, so reference is probably skewed.
I don't have wide shoulders.
My racing weight many years ago was about 68Kg, but I looked like I badly needed a feed.

[jeff_o]

No, I don't mind.
80Kg
173cm or 5'8"

I went to a Naturopath briefly who said I should be 73Kg. Most people that actually meet me usually disagree and think my current weight is about right (medium build). But I don't have wide shoulders.
My racing weight many years ago was about 68Kg, but I looked like I badly needed a feed.

shows that i'm underweight... hehe

[JV911]

i was measuring and weighing my bike the other night, and only to realize i'm using a 40cm handlebar. i thought i was using a 42 or 44.

if I switch to 42 or 44, what are the advantages? more stable steering? but isn't that affected by a long/short stem as well?

how broad are your shoulders??

[jeff_o]

i was measuring and weighing my bike the other night, and only to realize i'm using a 40cm handlebar. i thought i was using a 42 or 44.

if I switch to 42 or 44, what are the advantages? more stable steering? but isn't that affected by a long/short stem as well?

how broad are your shoulders??

i measured my shoulder and came up approx 42cm center to center top view