Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Tires

Two issues:

1. Has anyone had a tire that was in not being used lose it shape or become out of round or shape??? I have a set of Bontrager Select Hardcase 700x38 that where hanging on a hook in my garage and I decided to put them on a spare wheelset so I could ride some hardpack trails in the area, when given the ok on my hybrid. After I put them on the wheels, they are severly out of shape, almost like the tube was bunched up or twisted. I pull them off, checked the tube and re-installed and it's the same. The rear wheel is worse than the front. I freaked cause I thought it might be the rim, but when I pull them, I checked the rim and the rim is in perfect condition.

2. So now I'm looking for new tires, and I was wondering if anyone is riding 25's on a 18MM rim and how does it feel. I know it is at the bottom of the safe tire zone for 18MM rims and thought if I had to replace tires, I would probably go with a 28 or 32, but how would a 25 work if I wanted to go that way.

http://www.jaxgtr.net/BFStuff/tiresize.jpg

Hi,
if you want something lighter/faster try one of the Rivendell tires. the Roly Poly or Ruffy Tuffy

http://www.rivbike.com/webalog/tires_tubes/10043.html

Speed is not a primary concern, I was just looking at different tires for my wheel and was just wondering how a tire of that size would work or if I should even consider it. I not looking for expensive or high end as 98% of my riding is on the road, this would be on those occasions I wanted to ride the packed trails.

If indestructible and affordable while pretty quick and grippy sounds nice and you don't mind a bit of weight, get a set of Vittoria Randonneurs. Mine are on their third year and still look kind of new.

Edit: mine are 28mm

cool thanks.

I've found the supposed "safe zone" for tire-wheel compatibility to be extremely conservative, so much so that I don't even think about it anymore. My singlespeed is an old Trek tourer I converted four or five years ago, and I've run tires from 20mm to 41mm on the same narrow rims with no problems. On my Atlantis, I've had tires from 25 to 38mm. No issues ever, no weird floppy feeling, no problems of any kind. I suppose if I ran the fatties at 45psi or something on narrow rims it might cause trouble, but I generally use 70 or more. It's just not an issue at all.

Thanks very much. That is a wealth of info.