Road Cycling - Tire size

Does anyone run 700x20 as a daily tire on there bike? I noticed that my bike came with some Vittoria 700x20 kevlar some odd tires.

They ride great, and I dont weigh anything over 160ish...I've got a few hundred KMS on them now and no flats or anything (have my seatbag with co2 pump / spare tube /levers in case I do but...) I've been flat free on all my bikes since...well forever? I don't remember ever getting a flat...and I used to race local mountain bike races...just the temperature in the shed used to let the air out slowly...

I keep them pumped to 120PSI and I don't find them uncomfortable. Am I just a weirdo or do other people run tires that skinny?

I don't think I'm going to switch to anything bigger...these work fine and when I replace them I'll probably just get something similar because I like them.

Chad

If your current tires work for you, then why question them? Wider tires are arguably more comfortable, but that depends more on the tire's construction. I'm thinking of replacing my 23's with 20's when the time comes.

My only concern is when your good luck (regarding flats) finally runs out. I'll pray for you :(

My only concern is when your good luck (regarding flats) finally runs out. I'll pray for you :(


Therein lies my questioning :) I'm still new to the "road bike scene" "road biking" on a mountain bike isn't comparable.

I don't want to be decending at 80KM/h and have a tire blow...I'm not quite sure what that would be like...but I'm not sure anyone is AROUND to tell me since at 80+ I can't seeing it being a good experience...or one to live through for that matter. In the 2003 worlds (which is 20mins from my house and I ride that course regularly) the pro that went down and snapped his neck (I don't remember the extent of his injuries I just know where it was, my mom was working as a paratransit driver at that time and gave me really good race updates daily...not the standings just what she saw while working :)

Anyway I know most people ride 700x23 and I hear all these horror stories on flats, my bike handles amazing...and is just damn fast. and I like it.

But I just would like to continue to be alive and able to continue doing stuipd things (like downhilling at 80+ :)

Chad

ive been riding on NYC streets with glass everywhere, i ran over a bunch and no flats for me. Im running a Michelin Meg tire 700x23
when the tire is all said and done, im switching to 700x20

I used to ride 700x20 tires, as these were the lightest available. But back then, no clincher was considered good enough for racing so everyone used sewups. Now that I'm getting back into cycling I switched to 700x23 GP 3000s pumped to 120psi and would never go back to either the 700x20 or sewups. These have a better road grip with more shock absorbtion and feel as if they would roll forever.

i have veloflex masters which are 700x20 and i love them...i usually pump the back tire up to 125-130 and the front to 120. ive never had a flat in my life and i find these to be comfortable enough to ride everyday.

*sigh*

I'd like to change the last time I got a flat to today.

About 500KM's before I got one, maybe more, I have no bike computer so I'm really just guessing. between 500-1000 definetly no more though, and definetly not less.

Little gash in the tire, I don't remember the last time I have had a flat (as I said above) and I never have changed a tire on a road bike...lol well I got to try out my C02 pump and my tire levers today...glad I carry a seat bag on this bike I've never carried a spare on my MTN bike.

How many gashes should I let my tire get before I change it? Kinda expensive to change it bi-weekly heh. It's like a little slash that I can peel back .25" not really like a long slash or anything. I'm almost positive its from the gravel I was riding in...busy road and I was staying in the shoulder but theres lots of loose gravel and when transport trucks are 2' away going 80+ you kinda would rather hit the gravel.


Anyway should I change the tire asap or should I keep riding it for another ???? I'd only change my MTN bike tires once every couple years, and they were really really worn down when I did (and I was having serious traction problems)

Anyway ...suggestions?

Chad


*as a side note, It happened when I was by myself today and I got to see that if I flat i dont automatically get dumped on the road...so I now know what to expect when I'm in a group ride...kinda happy it happened solo so I could tool around for 10mins changing the tire by myself heh

.....

I have always ridden 20s. For years I rode Conti Grand Prix and had very few flat problems, but when I did get a flat, I needed the jaws of life to get the damned things off of my wheels. Now I have Panaracer Stradius Pro tires, also 700x20. I have had 2 flats this year, both on the same rainy day on a street that was in the middle of being swept for the Boston Marathon. The sweepers were leaving a lot of loose debris behind, and i unfrtunaely hit it twice in a small span of time. They were much easier to fix, even in pouring rain.