tires
 

I am heavy enough (240# or so) that I worry about those little tiny tires under me. I have an older road/race bike that needed new tires, and so I put 1 1/4 tires instead of 1 1/8 on the 27' rims. Visually, it seems like there is now much more rubber (and air in the rubber) under me to absorb stress. Is this right, or am I just slowing down the bike for no real gain? J

Fewer flats, softer, more forgiving ride, less likely to ding the rim on a rough road!

+1. Pump those suckers up. If they are under-inflated you have a higher risk of flats, pinch flats and the tire coming off the rim.

I agree with both respondants to the thread so far - wider tires are fine, rolling resistance isn't significantly greater, sidewall pressure is the right pressure, and improved reliability, comfort, and rim-protection are bonuses.

great. the bigger tires certainly seem to be a better fit for me. j