Small(ish) risers/flat bars

What is the smallest width of riser or flat handlebars that you find comfortable to sprint or climb on?

How long can you ride on them for before saying "I NEED DROPS"

7"

Shoulder width

1cm either side of the stem is fine

how long is a piece of string brewww

1cm either side of the stem is fine

Lies.

As long as you have a place to stick your thumbs it can be much shorter.

-7"

Lies.

As long as you have a place to stick your thumbs it can be much shorter.

If you fit a gateway to another dimension into your stem you can forget about the handlebar altogether.

I saw a bike the other day where the handlebars were just wide enough for the grips (them ones with the stars on), with a little Goldfinger lever which had been put on on top of the grip. I'd say that was too short.

which had been put on on top of the grip

hahahaha oh dear

Anything less than shoulder width is surely compressing your lungs somewhat?

I imagine that this cannot be good for an essentially aerobic activity.

i'm skinny, and my shoulder span is something like 16". where my bars are 18'" - have been wanting to cut them down to equal, but don't want to be lumped into the twat description. whatever right, if it feels good do it i suppose.

I don't think you would be lumped into the 'twat description' if you cut your bars to 41cm (16"), that's a good couple of inches wider than a lot of people have theirs.

All i`m saying ;)

What is the smallest width of riser or flat handlebars that you find comfortable to sprint or climb on?

How long can you ride on them for before saying "I NEED DROPS"

I tend to do most of my climbing seated, so when using drops I hold the middle section. Even narrow risers are wider than the flat middle section of a drop so for me the risers is better.
For sprinting there is no comparison as I find drops far more effective as they put the body in a better position and you can grap the bottom of the drop and really pull.

I have been using risers for the last few months and my average ride is around 25 miles but ride up to 40 miles with them and find them fine although I do miss the drops when hitting headwinds.

i don't use bars.... just a stem :)