Bar size range?

[mudmucker]

I'm finding the selection of bars in 38 extremely frustrating. None of the bars I'm most interested in come in 38... So I'm considering ordering a 40 so I can get the shape I want.

Anybody here who measures 38 and rides a 40 comfortably? Any other words of wisdom?

I just went through the same thing recently. I measure 38. For me I notice a difference with the 40's and have discomfort. Last year I had a fit and they swapped out my 40's for 38's but I never liked the 38's they gave me as they had an ergo bump which I do not like and they weren't the c shape that I like either. Like you, I wanted a rounded shape with a mid-sized drop and could not find them anywhere in an alloy 38 bar. All they seem to have in 38's are shallow drop. I finally settled for the only 38 mid-sized drop bar I could find but they were only in carbon, not alloy. They are the Specialized 142mm drop x 75mm short reach Ruby SL carbon bars. Yes they are a pretty penny but I splurged and I love them; I have the width, shape, and drop that I want plus they really do reduce some of the road chatter. They are comfortable riding on the top as well - there is a bit of an ergonomic top section perch.

[OakLeaf]

All they seem to have in 38's are shallow drop.

rats... apparently they don't make the ITM Elle bars in 38 any more. The ones I found online have a 178 mm drop! I'd let you have my old ones (don't know the exact drop, but they're pretty deep) but they're 1,000 miles away right now. I'll put them in the for sale bin in the winter...

I see ITM's two current aluminum offerings come in 38 mm, but only have a 153 mm drop. How deep are you looking for?

[lo123]

I just went through the same thing recently. I measure 38. For me I notice a difference with the 40's and have discomfort.

Ditto. My 'cross bike came with 40s, and I had a lot of pain in between my shoulder blades until I got my 38s. Love the 38. I have the salsa short & shallow now and it works for me, but I've got ridiculously small hands..