Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Road Cyclists: What size tire are you running?

So what size tire are you running? I run 700x23 @120 PSI. Just curious to find out. Yes the ride isn't as cushy as some but... I bike on well paved streets (Florida weather doesn't tear streets up with road salt like the north). Also what weight are you? 285 lbs

is riding the skinnier tires as a heavier guy (250+lbs) a problem?

is riding the skinnier tires as a heavier guy (250+lbs) a problem?

25 ... like a Cadillac

If you look people will say don't go lower than 700x28 in a lot of threads. I had 700x28. I went to 700x23. I don't think they are worse. The handling on the 23s is very responsive. The problem you run into is you really don't want to run a tire higher than about 125 psi. So if you have to jack a tire up to above 125 to accommodate tire flex then you need the larger tire. The end results is whatever you feel comfortable on. You can't really go lower than 700x23 if you are 200+. That's kind of a suicide mission.

I have about a dozen bikes, with every size of tire. But, the tire size that seems to work best on battered, broken pavement, with a heavy-ish bike and rider (I blame the bike) is a size 28mm or a size 32 mm.

A good quality size 32mm tire rides as smoothly and as fast as a size 23mm tire, yet absorbs road shock much better, has superior braking power, is safer on wet pavement, and is more stable on turns and over debris and broken pavement, gets half as many flats, and lasts twice as many miles.

I run 25 at 100 psi. I like the ride I get from them.

23's at 120 psi/ 240lbs:D

700x25 Armadillos at 125 psi. I weigh 240. The ride is decent, although not as cushy as my rigid MTB with its 2.0" knobbies at 60 psi. :) Still, it's good for what I do - mostly commuting on streets and paved bike paths with some cracks and potholes, but not too extreme.

23's at 130 psi.....205lbs

700x25
100psi
235lbs

Road: 23's/120 psi
Hybrid: 28's/105 psi
295 lbs

I ride Michelin Pro Race's brand exclusively. 700x23s at 120 psi, but Michelins seem to run a little wider so they are kind of close to 25s. IMO, Michelin tires rock for Clydes. I have never had issues with blowouts from my weight at 205 in competition to 258 out of competition (way out!!!). I switched to Hutchinsons briefly and was popping them left and right. Im not an abusive rider either. Never have the same issues with Michelins which I replace about every 1500 miles.

I ride Hutchinson Top speed (came on the bike). So....
700x23 at 110-115 psi
Started riding at 260 now at 242.

David

27 1/4" Forte GT2 Kevlar
90psi
275 lbs

240 pounds, and nothing smaller than 700x32 ever again, 35mm for most riding.
. I've used tires as small as 20mm, back when I was speed-obsessed, but they're just not worth the hassle and hard ride. On 700x32 Paselas at 90-95psi, I'm no slower and a lot more comfortable. On another bike I have 700x35s at 75 psi, and they make a difference of less than a minute on a 12-mile course I ride all the time. Even that isn't consistent--the difference depends more on traffic, wind and what I had for breakfast than on the tires.

On my road bike, 700x25 at 120psi

I ride Michelin Pro Race's brand exclusively. 700x23s at 120 psi, but Michelins seem to run a little wider so they are kind of close to 25s. IMO, Michelin tires rock for Clydes.....

+100.

I won't use anything else - these tires are "Da Bomb".

I'm 218# and I ride Michelin Krylion Carbons, 700X23 at 120 psi. Very durable tire. The ride used to bother me a bit on my aluminum frame but now that I'm riding steel/carbon everthing's great.

700x32's and looking to go to 35 or 37's.
IMHO Big men need wider tires with more air volume. Its why semi trucks have them since they carry a heavy load. Bicycles are no different. Skinny high pressure tires don't protect your expensive wheels as well as wider tires and your frame and fork are more stressed with the higher road vibes. I know alot of you guys ride skinnies and think they make you faster but you might be surprised at how little your speed is affected by going wider and how much your comfort improves, not to mention no pinch flats and fewer if any flats at all.

Or we might have been riding long enough to understand which tires work best for for specific applications and usage - the right tool for the job, rather than listening to old wives tales concerning what 'big men' need. Wider is NOT always the answer any more than skinny is.

700 X 28 @ 110#

240#

I have not had any problem with the tires. They are the original I got with the bike ~ 1000 miles ago.

Or we might have been riding long enough to understand which tires work best for for specific applications and usage - the right tool for the job, rather than listening to old wives tales concerning what 'big men' need. Wider is NOT always the answer any more than skinny is.

Its pretty hard to argue that a higher volume tire doesn't protect the rim better and that it is not more comfortable or that the speed penalty of a wider tire is enough to slow you down by more than a few seconds in twenty miles. Sure skinnies work on smooth asphalt. I have 25's on my old race bike but the ride is harsh on anything but really smooth surfaces and the danger of flatting is higher with low volume high pressure tires, compaired to the opposite. If I weighed 155 I would ride 23's more often than not, if I were concerned with maximum performance. Being that this is a Clyde forum it only makes sense to me that tires meant for underfed Italians in 1953 are not the best idea for large heavy men. Wider, higher volume, lower pressure tires, like those on old French tour bikes make more sense to me. And I do disagree.......wider tires are always better for bigger riders, if......they want their wheels to last longer,avoid flatting, gain comfort and improve traction. I don't think its an old wives tale to believe this way on the subject of tires but rather, it is an examination of facts, that are supported by reality. There are many big riders using what I call skinny tires (21,23,25mm) and in my opinion these riders could gain a benefit my using bigger rubber. Either way, its a subject I feel strongly about, based on my experiences and reading. I suppose many will differ and they can, meanwhile, I will be dawdling along someday on wide tires, while they are on the side of the road fixing a flat or tinkering with a broken spoke, all the while, cursing their bike and wondering why their kidneys hurt and their hands are numb, from road vibes. ;)

^^^ I've ridden tires from 23 to 38 and in my situation, the Michelin Krylion on my road bike have been a perfect addition. On my Hybrid I rotate based on the planned ride and the known road surface. If I know I will be on plush smooth road, I will use the 28's, if the surface is a little more rough, I will put on the 32's or the 35's. I personally don't like the 38's, felt too soft to me and felt like I was having to work harder. Now if I was touring and have a heavy load, I would consider the 38's, but it would probably stay with the 35's. I think it all depends on your road surface and conditions.

I see you feel strongly about it Charles...but your experience and the experience of others, including myself, differ. Do you really think I just chose the tire size on my road bike by picking a number out of a hat? Do you really think I would continue to ride it nearly 50 miles RT, to and from work, daily, on rough country/city roads, plus use it for centuries and doubles, if I was uncomfortable or breaking spokes or getting flats etc? Do you really think I have not tried multiple tires on multiple bikes over 40+ years and was able to decide what works and what doesn't? If we were talking about loaded touring/commuting I might agree with many of your points, but the OP is talking road bikes...not loaded touring. Clydes CAN and DO ride road bikes on skinny tires.

This is the Clydes forum, which is why I bristle when someone bandies about the same old Clyde stereotypes and superstitions as 'expert' advice. What works best for you is fine, but what works best for you may not work best for myself or others...that is the point I am trying to make - everyone's situation is different and thus require different configurations.

I see you feel strongly about it Charles...but your experience and the experience of others, including myself, differ. Do you really think I just chose the tire size on my road bike by picking a number out of a hat? Do you really think I would continue to ride it nearly 50 miles RT, to and from work, daily, on rough country/city roads, plus use it for centuries and doubles, if I was uncomfortable or breaking spokes or getting flats etc? Do you really think I have not tried multiple tires on multiple bikes over 40+ years and was able to decide what works and what doesn't? If we were talking about loaded touring/commuting I might agree with many of your points, but the OP is talking road bikes...not loaded touring. Clydes CAN and DO ride road bikes on skinny tires.

This is the Clydes forum, which is why I bristle when someone bandies about the same old Clyde stereotypes and superstitions as 'expert' advice. What works best for you is fine, but what works best for you may not work best for myself or others...that is the point I am trying to make - everyone's situation is different and thus require different configurations.

I don't claim to be an expert but am merely stating an opinion that I believe in. It appears from your bike photos that you are rolling some wide rubber too! Maybe 28's? Certainly not trying to create or further a stereotype regarding clydes since I am one and would probably still ride my wider tires if I were under 200 pounds since I don't believe they hurt my performance enough to matter and in fact, they actually roll easier on the rough chipseal we cyclists encounter often. If we are talking about superstitions what about the idea that narrow tires are the only way to go if you want to go fast. Unless you are on smooth surfaces this is not the case and on varied terrain a tire with more float for lack of a better term rides with less road buzz. Rider fatigue comes into play and wider tires are the cheapest way to get relief. I am aware that heavy riders ride narrow tires but I'll almost bet they would be more comfortable on wider rubber and suffer less flatting. Thats my only point and not to imply or infer that an experienced rider doesn't know how to pick tires that work for themselves.
I realize I am generalizing but I think what I am saying is correct. More experienced riders can and probably do, get away with running narrower tires and avoid some of the more common problems in doing so. My perspective when posting on the "clyde side" is that many big guys like myself might have been experienced riders back in the day as much lighter riders and are getting back into riding with that perspective. Others might have more consistant experience riding as big men and have learned how far they can push their choice of equipment and remain unaffected. The opinion I am expressing is for the benefit of the first group and for those with no experience riding, who might be saved from frustraition and lose interest, because they chose to ride equipment that is marginal for their experience level or weight. I often refer to myself as carrying a full touring load all the time, as many of my clyde pals do, whether they are 5'5" and 300 lbs. of excess chub or 6'5" and 300 lbs. of solid muscle. All that weight is simular to a fully loaded tour bike not unlike the more common average male rider weight of 180 pounds and 60 pounds of luggage. Weight is weight and tires need to support it. Just trying to help those that might benefit and perhaps cause some to explore the option of going wide, that may have dismissed it, due to racer hype and the super lightweight thinking that seems so common these days in conventional cycling circles. ;)
.

700x23 @120 PSI, 260 pounds. Over 1,500 miles on this setup since November and loving it.

700 x 35 85 PSI smooth riding on the Cannondale
700 x 28 105 PSI on the my other bike, ride is a little more harsh.

700x28s @2 90psi and I'm 265lbs. if I corner too quickly while pedaling hard the back tire can actually flatten a bit and slide on me. Maybe I need to inflat them more.

So what size tire are you running? I run 700x23 @120 PSI. Just curious to find out. Yes the ride isn't as cushy as some but... I bike on well paved streets (Florida weather doesn't tear streets up with road salt like the north). Also what weight are you? 285 lbs
IF you're 285 on that tire.. all I can say is, I'm glad I ain't your rim ! Are you 285, if so,are you a religious person ? I'm 235, I HAVE bikes with 23's, I ride them VERY little, when I do, VERY easy. The bikes that I feel most secure( competent) on have 28's. When I get to 210, I'll use a bike with 25s.

Don't hit anything larger than a smooth, round, pebble. :D

700x25 at 110psi. Rolls and rides like a dream. I tried a good set (Conti GP 4000s) at the beginning of the year, but went back to Vittoria Rubino Pros which have just been great. I swear they roll better than the 23s did. Certainly ride better.

IF you're 285 on that tire.. all I can say is, I'm glad I ain't your rim ! Are you 285, if so,are you a religious person ? I'm 235, I HAVE bikes with 23's, I ride them VERY little, when I do, VERY easy. The bikes that I feel most secure( competent) on have 28's. When I get to 210, I'll use a bike with 25s.

So because it is your experience, it is that way for everyone?

At 260, I am fully confident in my 700x23 tires @120 PSI. Over 1,500 miles and never felt unsure about their ability. Everyone's experiences vary. What is "right" for someone may not be "right" for someone else.

So because it is your experience, it is that way for everyone?

At 260, I am fully confident in my 700x23 tires @120 PSI. Over 1,500 miles and never felt unsure about their ability. Everyone's experiences vary. What is "right" for someone may not be "right" for someone else.

At 225-245 (depending on the season), I have had 2 flats over the last year...all on my bikes with 32s mounted - the 25s have not let me down yet in the same time frame over pretty much the same roads. I guess I should claim that 32s cause more flats? :rolleyes: ;)

Both my road bikes have 700x 25 Continental Gatorskins. I swear by them now, no flats in half a year! Keep them properly inflated and clean and get cloth rim strips. Both are "comfortable" but the steel forks on one of the bikes transmits less bumps to the handlebars.

700x28 at 120 does me just fine. I'm 6'1" and 250 +/-. They are the Vittoria Zaffirio's that came on the bike. After about 500 miles, they are trouble free, flat free and roll good enough to suit me.

IF you're 285 on that tire.. all I can say is, I'm glad I ain't your rim ! ... I'm 235...
I am glad you aren't my rim too. You have to much rolling resistance.

700x25 Conti Gators @100 psi. 2011 miles and are as sweet as the day I put them on. I'm 220#.

Rivendell Ruffy-Tuffy's. 700x28c. I'm about 285, and I run them between 110 and 120 psi. Works well for me. So do Armadillo 700c28c's but the ride is harsher.

700x23 @120 PSI on my road bike

700x32 @80 PSI on the commuter

650C X 23C at 100 PSI on my recumbent. I'm 250 and have had no problems. I've always threatened to go to a wider tire on my upright bikes and maybe I will. I'll probably stick to the recumbent until I get at least another thirty pounds off. That will probably be all summer, into the fall.

Mark

I weigh 230 and run 25's at 90 front and 100 rear. nice cushy ride.

700X25, 110 rear, 100 front, 210#

23 on the front, 25 on the back, 265 pounds.

700 x 23
110 - 115 psi
My "all up" weight is about 230 (I'm 220).

I run 700x23 at 120 psi. My favorite tire is the Tri-comp. I have found that those paired spoke wheels ride very harshly! Since going to American Classic Hurricane wheels and their ride, I cringe to put the paired spoke wheels back on.
I run a 26 Mt. Bike to commute on. 26x1.25 Bont. Hard case tire, they ride very well and much cushier than my road bike.

Since I learned to STAY OFF the sides of the 4 lane roads around here and ride the country 2 lanes I have almost NO flats. The wire on the 4 lanes are tire killers!

I weight 240, and use 23's at 100#. Recently I've ridden 20, 23, 25, 28, and 32. Yes, 20 is too small for me. But the comfort difference amongst all the other sizes I find inconsequential, so I have ended up on 23 for max speed. Maybe I have a high butt pain toerance or something.

SOT: My bike commute takes me past the local dump, meaning too frequent flats from broken glass and nails. For a while I tried solid tires. No flats, but they wore out too fast, either splitting along the central seam or getting gashes.

630-32 (27X1 1/4), at 105PSI

I see you feel strongly about it Charles...but your experience and the experience of others, including myself, differ. Do you really think I just chose the tire size on my road bike by picking a number out of a hat? Do you really think I would continue to ride it nearly 50 miles RT, to and from work, daily, on rough country/city roads, plus use it for centuries and doubles, if I was uncomfortable or breaking spokes or getting flats etc? Do you really think I have not tried multiple tires on multiple bikes over 40+ years and was able to decide what works and what doesn't? If we were talking about loaded touring/commuting I might agree with many of your points, but the OP is talking road bikes...not loaded touring. Clydes CAN and DO ride road bikes on skinny tires.

This is the Clydes forum, which is why I bristle when someone bandies about the same old Clyde stereotypes and superstitions as 'expert' advice. What works best for you is fine, but what works best for you may not work best for myself or others...that is the point I am trying to make - everyone's situation is different and thus require different configurations.
TRUE,it does depend on one's agenda,yours and others is clearly to prove something to yourself or to other Clydes. The only reason that the OP posed the question in the first place was to actually present a challenge ,presenting his choice based on feelin' racey,an agenda none the less. SURE we can do what we wanna just becuz, doesn't make it sensible, fun or efficient. Maybe our agenda should be to present if not set an example to those, younger, less knowing. It's bad enough that they're made to feel inadequate not being as light as many. Why not help THEM reconcile it all through the prudence of appropriate equipment. No,let's just ride on dumb too skinny tires like a fat fifty something, two hundred and fifty something woman stuffs herself in a string bikini. And say..."It looks good on YOU though !"

I've had with the Clydes forum.

23's at 90 lbs and I weight 200 lbs.