Picked-up a set of aerobars...now where to put my computer and light?

[nscrbug]

My shoulders are actually 38, but my bike is a men's frame and 40 was the smallest handlebars available. My previous bike had 38...I can't really say that I notice a difference, but that's mainly because my 2 bikes handle so differently to begin with. My reach on my previous bike was really a bit too short for me. Current bike has a slightly longer top tube and a 20mm longer stem (started out with the shorter stem, but handling was scary and I felt cramped).

I can say that I wouldn't want my bars any wider, though. If they were wider I don't think I'd be comfortable riding on the hoods.

How does one take a proper measurement of shoulder width (for bike purposes)? I was told that my shoulders are 38 (my bars are 38 also), however...I feel that I'm very broad-shouldered since I have a lot of trouble finding tops that fit properly across my upper back/shoulder area. So now I'm wondering if I really am a 38 in my shoulders and if maybe a 40cm bar might be a better option for me?

[OakLeaf]

I've always read to measure across the back from acromion to acromion (the point at the outside top of your shoulderblades).

I've been measured at exactly 38 cm, but I can't comfortably ride bars narrower than 40 cm. How I knew is that when I started to fatigue on a long ride on the 38s that came on my bike, while riding on the hoods, my wrists would break to the outside. I'm very comfortable on 42 cm bars as well, just not as aerodynamic. Years ago I actually built up my race bike with 42s, they're that much more comfortable for me.

Some of it will depend on exactly where the manufacturer measures the bars, too. Center-to-center, outside-to-outside, hooks or bar ends? One company's 40 cm bars aren't going to feel the same width as another's.

[Becky]

I'm like Oak. By all accounts, I should ride 38s, but I'm much more comfortable with 40s. I like the extra leverage of a wider bar too.