What width Salsa Cowchippers to go for?

Hi all,

I've decided on Cowchippers for my Disc trucker build but I'm really uncertain what width to go for. Gunna be used for commuting and touring/bikepacking so want it to be pretty comfy. Instinct told me to go with 46 but I haven't really based that on anything and now I'm thinking maybe I should go wider.

I'm not really sure what goes in to deciding on bar fit, but incase its important I'm 5'9" and riding a 54cm frame.

Any thoughts?

Cheers

Cowchippers are great. I have 42s on my gravel bike. I would say I am usually comfy on a 42 or 44 regular drop bar.

I don’t think your height and frame size would be as relevant as your shoulder width, so it’s hard to recommend. It also depends if you’re trying to replicate your usual drop bar fit, or you want to have a wider feel or need space for a barbag. Personally, I first tried them in 46, but was much happier sizing down to 42, but it’s all preference really

I’ve heard lots of good things so I’m glad you’re keen on them!

I unfortunately don’t have a usual drop bar fit as I don’t ride drops on the whole. Had a road bike for a while a few years ago but it was just something I grabbed off marketplace so fit wasn’t tailored at all.

I’ll likely be running a basket/rack/bag up front so that’s definitely a consideration. My shoulder width is about 43cm and the current basket I use is 48cm wide, but will obviously be lower than the hoods so I’d probably need at least 46cm really?

Edit: just learnt how to actually measure shoulder width

I guess that measurement would give you a bar of 42/44 for best fit in the traditional way. Hard to say without seeing the rack/frame/stem set up what will fit. You might have to find some drops to try and see what feels right

I went with 38cm wide enough for me

It sounds like I’ll have to buy from somewhere that accepts returns!

I’ve been spending too long on the Crust side of Instagram. Their bars seem to start at 48cm and go all the way up to 66cm!!

Yeah unless you already have tried and have a preference for super wide drops I wouldn’t get caught up in the hype

No I totally agree, I definitely wouldn’t go over 48, let alone 66! Just wasn’t sure what the norm was.

I think 46 is likely to be where I’m going to go. But like you said, I think I’ll have to spend some time with it and go from there!

I rode Badlands on 38cm with aerobars and put 42cm slightly flared bars on my Tripster and Crux. My (smaller) partner has 40 or 42cm bars and has ridden things like Gran Vertical behind me on my hardtail. Basically, whatever, some people like wider stuff, I don't really ride rad enough to need it. I will say that wider bars allow more room for front-rolls and gadgets and stuff stuff if luggage capacity is your thing. Going too wide though and I feel your shifters and brakes are going to be annoyingly far away if you're not adjusting the reach in other ways and then handling may be compromised. I'd test wider bars out first.

Yeah I think it’s going to be a matter of finding what fits nicely and also what fits luggage nicely.

From a few cursory measurements I think 46 will be good. My shoulders are 43 so it’s a bit wider than is probably traditionally recommended but then will nicely fit my bag and rack up front between the drops.

Cheers for sharing your thoughts!

The Sequoia my partner had came with 46cm that flared to maybe 50cm I think. They would probably be alright but because it was only really being used for road riding in the early days we dropped the bars down to the 40 or 42 or whatever when I put Di2 on it. It seemed a bit silly she was riding wider bars than I was. Going off-road more often and carrying tents and stuff though it might be worth revisiting the wider bars (or just giving up with the grav grav and giving her my hardtail).