How to Find the Right Road Handlebar Width for a More Comfortable Ride

When you are thinking of buying a bike, one of the things you have to keep in mind for you to have a more comfortable, fun and enjoyable ride is finding the right road handlebar width that suits you best.

There are several ways to find the right road handlebar width, but the most common and most accurate way is having someone measure the distance between the two pointy bones on front of your shoulders. Once you got the measurement, find out how
the road handlebar you intend to use is measured.

Know that there are two ways manufacturers measure handlebars for road bikes.

1. Center to Center

If the road handlebar you like to use is measured from center to center, meaning from the inside edge to the other insider edge of the handlebar, simply add 2 cms to your shoulder measurement to get the right road handlebar width measurement. For example, if your shoulder measurement is 40 cms, you need a 42-cm handlebar.

2. Outside to Outside

If the road handlebar you like to use is measured from outside to outside, meaning from the outside edge to the other outside edge of the handlebar, simply add 4 cms to your shoulder measurement. So if your shoulder measurement is 40 cms, you need a 44-cm handlebar.

So it is important to ask someone in the bike shop how the bar you intend to buy is measured. Is it measured from center to center of from outside to outside?

If by any reason, you did not get your shoulder measurement, here is another ways to find the right road handlebar width: just place the handlebar on top of your shoulders making sure it edges land on the sides of your underarm (points that are in line with the two protruding bones on your shoulders).

But the easiest way to find the right road handlebar width is to pick up different bars in a bike shop and grab hold of them. Then move your hands around from the drops to the tops. Try both wide and narrow bars to find the one that suits you best.

Then with both your hands on the bars, move your hands down near your waist, then straight out on front of you and then bring them toward your chest. Do the same with a couple of bars. With this quick process, you will usually find one that feels better than the others.

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