Road & Cyclocross Handlebar Width

Handlebar width can have a profound effect on your cycling; from how well your bike handles to how well you can breath.  Handlebars come with many features that add to the experience, but before you can worry about those, it's utterly important to have a bar that fits your body first.

While there are many brands of handlebars, each having many models and each of those having many options, the basics will always remain the same.  Your first choice should always be the one that provides the best fitment, and that begins with handlebar width.

The concepts to finding your correct handlebar width are easy enough, it just takes a few minutes at home or at your local bike shop.  As a side note; these are just "suggested" starting points for your handlebars, while these steps are likely to provide the comfort and efficiency to your ride, you may end up deviating to your personal taste.

Two methods for selecting correct handle bar width: (image right)

A) Simple Method
Select a few handlebars and have them placed against your back so that the ends of the handlebars are being are meeting up with the back of your shoulders.

The idea is that the outside edge of each side of the handlebar should span the complete width of your shoulder, with is approx. 3/4" inside of the leading edge of your arm.  Or better put, the handlebars should meet up with an imaginary line if drawn straight up from your armpit.

Once you are comfortable that you have located the correct width handlebars, you can now focus on style, tube material, shapes, etc.

B) Measure Method
Using the measure method, you are actually using the exact measurement (in cm) and add 2 cm for a final handlebar width.  measurement  ___________ + 2cm = handlebar width.  (Inches to cm = 1" for every 2.5cm)

Locate the peaks of the bony protrusions just above your chest where your arms and collarbone meet. With a measuring tape, locate edge of right protrusion and measure the span to the outer edge of the other peak.  If you have a partial size, always round up to the next nearest cm.

Now that you have your width, the rule of thumb for your handlebar size is shoulder width plus 2 cm.   So, if you measured out to a 41.5cm,  you would round up to 42cm and then add 2 cm for

a total width of 44cm handlebars.  

*Important side noted: Not all handlebars are measured equally, a handlebar should be measured the same as your shoulders, from center to center.  When measuring a handlebar, this means the center of each tube at the bottoms of the drops (aka horns) like the image to the left indicates.  Some brands measure bars from end to end, if you are not sure, ask your local bike shop for guidance.

We hope this helps you on your next handlebar purchase and makes your riding more comfortable!