Road bike tire sizing and diameter
 

My road bike currently has 700x23 tires (some flavor of Conti Gatorskins). They're getting a bit old and I want to replace them before I start doing some longer rides this year (MS150, maybe Seagull Century, etc). I'd like to go up a size or two, but the clearance between the rear tire and brake bridge is small, 1/8", maybe less. Would I be able to move up to a 25 or 28 size tire? How much to road bike tires grow in diameter as they get wider? I have plenty of space for extra width.

Also, what's a good general purpose tire for fast recreational riding and general noodling around? I would like something on the tough side since I'm not used to road bikes and don't avoid obstacles as well as I should (pothole, what pothole? :eek: ).

Chris

25 will work for sure. Go with one of the carbon lined tires (Hutchinson or Michelin is great). Real tough is Specialized Armadillo, though the ride is a bit harsher.

$20 USD will get you a rubino. Kevlar lined. Nothing fancy, durable tire.

My Bontrager Xlite race 700X28 foldable measure 26 mm wide, so they will probably fit. They roll easily and hold the road well. They are kevlar belted.

I recently got some 700x25 Serfas Seca's. Very nice ride, and dual compound tread. Best of all they won't break your wallet. I think I paid somewhere between $15-$20 a piece.,,,,,BD

I've got a stupid question. hopefully I can just get it answered in here rather than starting a new thread. I've been into mtb for years but I'm totally new to road bikes. I have the same 700x25 tires on my trek and I want to get a couple of spare tubes but all the tubes I look at say 700x20/28 like this one:

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqP...jsp?spid=26662

does that mean it will fit anything between a 20 and 28?

Yup ........

Sounds like it. 20 to 28 is not too big of a stretch, no pun intended.,,,,BD

Think about it this way, a 1 1/4" 27 inch tire is a 32....

awesome. thanks.