The comfort of narrow handlebars.

[Shrike]

Waited for weeks to get the Aerofly II's at 40cm, just couldn't get them at the price I wanted so ended up taking a punt on 38's.

Got them yesterday and they look like some child's toy

Mildly concerned but I'm pretty sure I'll love them and adapt fast. Always wanted to ride 38s, just erred on the side of caution. I have broad shoulders, so any guide or common wisdom you come across suggests 42 to 44cm for me.

Screw that though, why let the lemmings dictate biomechanics. Many of us can adapt to a wide range very quickly.

I'm more wondering if they'll make the bike twitchier.

[Klaster_1]

I'm more wondering if they'll make the bike twitchier.

When I went from a 44cm Ergonova to a 40cm Ellipse, the bike felt more twitchy indeed, but I got used to it and don't even remember how it used to be.

[CustomMetal]

I run the ENVE 42mm bars which are flared. My hoods are 36mm apart. Took a while to get used to but now getting on anything wider feels like steering a bus! Also feels a lot faster and more aero

[Robius]

Some new alloy aero bars from PRO: https://road.cc/content/tech-news/pro-a ... ags-277711

36cm Pro Vibe Alloy Pursuit is on my wishlist already. They are looking slick with that flare.

[Spurdo]

Switched from a 44cm to 40cm, did not have much problems outdoors but on trainer my left hand started to hurt a bit. After switching I've had no problems and I have noticed that my grip on the hoods is different and my wrists no longer roll towards the center.

[ms6073]

I run the ENVE 42mm bars which are flared. My hoods are 36mm apart.

I also made the switch from the round Enve road bars and I would say after 2-3 rides, I was very happy with the decision. I am expecting a C64 disc drameset this week and want to continue running the Enve SES bars but not keen on cutting the bar ends to run a Shimano EW-RS910.

[Conza]

Hmm. I've measured 42cm's.
Accidentally got 40cm and have sent them back.
This has me reconsidering.

[TheRich]

Has anyone gone narrower and NOT liked it?

Current bike is road/gravel with frame size appropriate 42mm bars, which seem fine for even light mountain biking.

Edit: Forgot to finish my thought...I'm about to order a P1 Emonda and currently waffling between 40 and 38mm bars.

[TobinHatesYou]

Edit: Forgot to finish my thought...I'm about to order a P1 Emonda and currently waffling between 40 and 38mm bars.

The Aeolus RSL bars or a separate bar/stem? I'd need a 110mm/38cm Aeolus and they don't make one.

[LewisK]

Has anyone gone narrower and NOT liked it?

Current bike is road/gravel with frame size appropriate 42mm bars, which seem fine for even light mountain biking.

Edit: Forgot to finish my thought...I'm about to order a P1 Emonda and currently waffling between 40 and 38mm bars.

I went from 42s to 40s, took a few rides to get used to but overall i prefer it. Wouldnt want to go any narrower i dont think.

[TheRich]

I went from 42s to 40s, took a few rides to get used to but overall i prefer it. Wouldnt want to go any narrower i dont think.

What makes you feel that way?

[NordicSal]

Waited for weeks to get the Aerofly II's at 40cm, just couldn't get them at the price I wanted so ended up taking a punt on 38's.

Got them yesterday and they look like some child's toy

Mildly concerned but I'm pretty sure I'll love them and adapt fast. Always wanted to ride 38s, just erred on the side of caution. I have broad shoulders, so any guide or common wisdom you come across suggests 42 to 44cm for me.

Screw that though, why let the lemmings dictate biomechanics. Many of us can adapt to a wide range very quickly.

I'm more wondering if they'll make the bike twitchier.

I am coming from 44's, can't decide whether to just go for the 38's straight away or be "reasonable" and do the 40's.

[Mr.Gib]

I'd be careful with a big step down in size. Consider what you hope to acheive. If you're racing and spend a lot of time at the front of a line and want to be a bit more aero, than go for it. It makes no difference in the saddle from what I can tell, but if you are just riding for fun you might not like the different feel when out of the saddle. I dropped down to 40 from riding 42 and 44 depending on the bike, and the bike is just a bit more squirrely out of the saddle. Easy to manage and adapt but more input is required. I prefer wider but a damaged shoulder gives me no option but to go narrower.

[hofweber]

In case you’re looking for Enve-like dimensions without enve prices, I got two pairs of the Rose Race Attack GF Aero at 36cm. They measure 36 hood to hood and 40,5 drop to drop
https://www.rosebikes.se/rose-race-atta ... _size=36cm

[iheartbianchi]

People already made this point but there's no loss in oxygen intake from using a narrower position, or a lower position.

It's all a matter of balancing comfort and aero. With the caveat that in extreme aero or low positions, you may need to exert more energy to maintain that position and to use more "breathing muscles" which may increase your oxygen demand, decreasing efficiencies until you have adapated. But the intake remains more or less the same.

As a real world illustration, time trialists still use TT bars, which is the most extreme narrow position.