I like narrower drop bars. 38cm ideally. I rode with 42 cm bars on my previous bike for 4 years and though it was okay, I seemed to feel too braced and bore more of the road forces. My new bike came with 42 cm bars too, but changing them to 38 cm let me get rid of that braced feeling I had and the road forces get absorbed over a greater portion of my body. 38 cm bars were predominate on many of my older bikes I use to have.
If your elbows ever bother you, then consider if it is the wide hand spread.
Last edited by Iride01; 12-06-22 at 11:09 AM.