Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - My Tire Conundrum

So with my Sequoia they offered to swap out the stock discontinued All Condition Comp 25s with some Armadillo 32s, I'm assuming either the Infinity Armadillos (http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=35691) or the Bourough CX (http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=35696) (I'm guessing the Infinities. He is keeping some 28s around in case the 32s dont' work.

I've been riding the 25s now for the past week, and haven't had any issues, other than some underlying fear that I'll pinch flat (just the fear a 350 lbs man usually has riding on tires that look as thin as toothpicks). I know that it's the wheel, spoke count, etc. and ensuring good pressure, but it's also a bit of a confidence issue. Think i'll lose a lot of speed in the switch (I'm not a speed demon, but like a good "roll) ;)

I'm taking the bike in on TUesday. Thoughts on me asking to snag those 25s in case I want to move back to them? The bike is a 2006, sticker "sale" price was 699 cut down to 679 with the tire swap. I don't want to look to greedy, but I'm thinking that used tires (granted still pretty new but have *some* use) aren't worth ALL that much when you look at the price of new.

I'm thinking you have a better chance of pinchflats with the wider tires. I've pinch flatted on my mtb but never on my roadies with 23's at max PSI! The harder tires don't flex as much in my experience. I think maybe once I did pinch flat on my roadie cause I tried low pressure as an experiment after reading about more comfort on the forums, no more!:D

I do have a bud that was about 300. He rode the 28 Armadillos with no issues!

32's aren't really any slower that 25's in my experience, just a lot more comfortable and longer lasting. Did a 75km ride in 2:25(new personal best) on Scwalbe Marathon 32's just last week :-)

I'll second the thought that the wider tires will actually increase the likelihood of pinch flats. I've had one or two, but those were the fault of cheap rim tape AND pinch flatting, both on my MTB with the knobbies at less than 60psi. Higher PSI tires are like rocks, and it'll take work to pinch flat 'em.

That being said, wider tires are more comfortable. I liked the 700x32's on my Trek, but they rolled like pigs at anything below 100psi. The 700x37's on my LHT are even better, and they roll excellent at 75-80psi while providing a very cushy ride.

No problems at 210 pounds on 700x28 gatorskins.

I had conti top touring 2000 whatevers on before, and while they were comfortable they were a very slow tire... not due to size, AFAIK, just due to construction etc.

Got the bike back with the Infinity Armadillo 32c's. Very smooth ride, nice. I can tell it's a tad slower than when I had the 25s on - I may go to 25 Armadillos later in the summer if my weight loss continues but for now it feels like I'm on a cyclocross bike ;)