My skinny tire fear might be over!?!?!

[mattyknacks]

I have a rigid MTB frame with disc brakes and have been experimenting with 700c rims and tires. I now have two great wheelsets which were built for me by my LBS. They are as follows:

Velocity Deep-V 36 hole rims with machined sides
Shamano Deore Disc hubs
Specialized Armadillo 700x23c tires

-and-

DT Swiss TK 7.1 Trekking 36 hole rims with machined sides (eyelets)
Shamino XT Disc hubs
Specialized Armadillo 700x32c tires

I have ridden a few times now on each set, waiting for them to collapse under my 315 pounds of muscle, but they seem much more solid than my machine built Sun Rhyno-Lite mountain bike wheels. I also have a Mavic Speedcity Disc wheelset in my closet, but at 24 spokes per wheel, I will leave them in the closet for now, and use them as my "trophy" wheels when I lose enough weight.

After chugging around for so long on 26x2.1 mountain tires, I was afraid to go to 700c, but bit the bullet and dove right in. I am amazed at the strength of these wheels so far, and time will tell if I stay with 700c or go back to my mountain rims. I am very happy that my frame accepts both sizes.

[jaxgtr]

I think you will come to like the 700C wheel. I started on them at 375 and never thought anything about them collasping, I think that was cause I did not know any better at the time and no told me I should not or could not ride 700C wheels.

[mattyknacks]

I think you will come to like the 700C wheel. I started on them at 375 and never thought anything about them collasping, I think that was cause I did not know any better at the time and no told me I should not or could not ride 700C wheels.

It wasn't really the 700c part that got me nervous, it was the 23 or 28 part. After bending enough mountain bike wheels, I figured that thinner wheels were a big NO-NO. Now I have come to realize that "poorly built wheels" of any size are the NO-NO.

[(51)]

I'm on 700X35 right now and can't imagine going skinnier. I'm amazed that to 35's keep rollin'

[JumboRider]

Welcome to the life of a big man moving with less resistance. You feel like you are flying now don't you?

(51), I ride on 28's and I am 353 pounds.

[jaxgtr]

I ride 23's on my road bike and 28 or 32's on my hybrid based on the road surface. If it's a little rougher, I will move to the 32's.

[mattyknacks]

I'm on 700X35 right now and can't imagine going skinnier. I'm amazed that to 35's keep rollin'

That is the kind of thinking that kept me on mountain bike tires so long.

[mattyknacks]

Welcome to the life of a big man moving with less resistance. You feel like you are flying now don't you?

(51), I ride on 28's and I am 353 pounds.

Yes, feels great. Nice and fast.

[Halthane]

If well built they should be fine even with 23s though 28s might ride a little better, I switched to 28's and much prefer the ride quality, some of that may be that they are a better tire than the 23's I had.