BRM wrote:A smaller handlebar that doesn't feel right and is a bit uncomfortable, and be honest doesn't really gain speeds . . vs a comfortable handlebar. Make the choice.
When I was racing mountain bikes 20 ys. ago I ran a 44cm handlebar because the transition to training on the road felt easier. Going down to 42 was relatively easy. 40cm took 2hs to get accustomed to. 38cm felt natural right from the start. I had 42cm on last years' winter bike and man, it felt awkward and it felt like that from October to February when I didn't touch any other handlebar width as I run 42 on my CX as well.
My impression is, you have no idea what you are talking about because you a) do not try things out, b) do not have enough use cases and c) you have no imagination about other people's usecases (you might call c) lack of empathy).