Best tire size for 700c wheels

[stiggywigget]

I just got a brand new '06 Bianchi Axis which I am going to use as a commuter bike to start with. The stock tires (WTB Cross Wolf, 700x32C) aren't going to cut it for that purpose. I was thinking of getting something even wider than 32C but the rims are pretty damn skinny. They are Alex 320 rims (http://www.aclass-wheels.com/road_alx320COMP.html) They are labeled 622 x 14 (14 is the inner width?) Am I asking for trouble if I use 37c tires on these?

I know this gets covered now and then but I haven't found anything definitive. Well, maybe this one (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire_sizing.html#width), but there must be other opinions out there.

[glenng]

32c might be OK. Where do you live/ride? 32`s are good for commuting 95% of the time.

[B17]

I know this gets covered now and then but I haven't found anything definitive. Well, maybe this one (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire_sizing.html#width), but there must be other opinions out there.

There are probably plenty, but none of them will be any more or less accurate than what you've got here. Not trying to sound mean, but the Sheldon site's a pretty good reference for just this sort of info- unless you're looking for someone or something to tell you it's safe to run tires larger than 32mm on 14mm rims, there's no reason to look further.

Instead of taking that risk, why not try some smoother 32mm tires (you don't say why your stock tires won't work, but I'm assuming it's because CX tread isn't really for road commuting) on the wheels you have?

[damocles1]

I run 700x40s on Ultegra 6600 built wheels and have run the same 40s on Cosmics, Ksyriums and Velocity rims.
And that's riding in the woods at lower pressures. If you run 50-60 pounds in them and commute, 32's will be perfectly fine. 35s would work fine as well...

[stiggywigget]

There are probably plenty, but none of them will be any more or less accurate than what you've got here. Not trying to sound mean, but the Sheldon site's a pretty good reference for just this sort of info- unless you're looking for someone or something to tell you it's safe to run tires larger than 32mm on 14mm rims, there's no reason to look further.

Instead of taking that risk, why not try some smoother 32mm tires (you don't say why your stock tires won't work, but I'm assuming it's because CX tread isn't really for road commuting) on the wheels you have?

I use Sheldon's site as a reference frequently. If my new wheels are, in fact, 14mm interior width as would appear to be the case the 32m stock tires are too large for the rims according to the graph on that page. You could take that for whatever it means.

Yes, it's the CX tread that is the issue here. I live in New England and need something that'll stick on sandy and salty winter roads. Not getting a lot of flats is a big bonus. I'll stick to the 32mm width and get some Continentals probably.

Thanks!

[stiggywigget]

After consulting with the LBS, I ended up purchasing 28mm tires. The manager rides all winter and believes that a slightly narrower tire cuts through the slush and muck better than a fattie. And, of course, it has less rolling resistance and a higher PSI. I got Continental Contacts 700c/28 which are said to be very puncture resistant.

[RiPHRaPH]

I run Kenda 30's on my Open Pro's. Pressure can be 65-80psi depending upon ride, terrain.