macky600

Im riding a city type bike. The wheels will take a 28 to a 40 tire size. Im 206 lbs
Whats a good tire size, compromising speed and comfort.

Mr. Beanz

25!......I know, not a choice but if you're thinking about speed, why would you ride a city comfort bike? Even a hybrid would kick major butt on that bike and still be comfy. I'm 230'ish and ride easy on 23's (roadie). Currently riding a big fat Armadillo on the back (25) cause I had it and it's flat free for 5000 miles.


I know riders think roadies aren't comfy. But like I said long ago here, and like many others have posted recently, drop bars have several more positions. AND comfort is about good fit on the bike. Good saddle and shorts help too!

But your choices, I'd use a 28!

Velo Dog

Depends a little on where you're riding. If you're on pavement, and it's usually smooth, you could get by with a 28 or 32, though I'd probably use a 35. There's very little, if any, dropoff in speed as you go up a size or two. If your pavement is broken or potholed, or you jump curbs or catch air or ride on dirt and gravel, then 35 or larger for sure, especially at your weight. I weigh 240, and use 35 or 37mm tires for nearly all my road riding. Something like a Panaracer Pasela TG should work fine; I've used them for three or four years and like them a lot. I can run the 37s at 70psi on bad roads without pinch flats.
Whatever you wind up with, don't make the common mistake of overinflating them to "compensate" for their allegedly greater rolling resistance. Part of the reason for larger tires is so you can run lower pressures.
Incidentally, there's usually quite a bit of slack in a rim's tire size recommendations. I've swapped often from 25 to 41mm on the same rims with no trouble at all.

Velo Dog

[QUOTE=Mr. Beanz;9869841]25!......I know, not a choice but if you're thinking about speed, why would you ride a city comfort bike? Even a hybrid would kick major butt on that bike and still be comfy. I'm 230'ish and ride easy on 23's (roadie). Currently riding a big fat Armadillo on the back (25) cause I had it and it's flat free for 5000 miles./QUOTE]

You got 5000 miles on a 25mm Armadillo? FIVE THOUSAND?! I weigh about what you do, sometimes 10 pounds more, sometimes 10 less, and i've never gotten more than half that from any bike tire, including Armadillos (which I hated and gave away, actually--they rode like they were carved out of oak).
I agree about road bike comfort, though. My Atlantis is the most comfortable bike I've ever owned. The day I got it, I could spend half again as much time in the saddle as I'd ever been able to do on anything else.

kwduffy02

I ride a road bike and ride 23-25s with my current weight at 229 so I don't think you would have any problem riding 28s. The majority of the roads i ride on my road bike are country chip-seal roads and I haven't had any problems and the ride is nice and smooth. That being said I still commute 2 days a week to night class on my Hardrock sport, which feels like a dog compared to my road bike but also has 26x1.9 tires on it, preparing for winter and snow to start showing around here hehe

CliftonGK1

28 - 35mm are the typical randonneuring tire sizes with the people in my club, with quite a few smack in the middle on 32s.

32mm Vittoria Randonneur tires are quick, comfortable and flat resistant. Others to check out are Panaracer Pasela TG, Jack Brown (Rivendell Bikes site), Schwalbe Marathon, and if you're OK running a hardpack CX tire then the Challenge Grifo XS.

Wanderer

I really like Schwalbe Marathon Supremes, in 35 and 40 widths...... 35F, 40R.

Mr. Beanz

Yessiree Bob! (hope your name is Bob).....Still racking up miles on them too. They now have a flat spot but I won't stop riding them til they start to flat. I can get about 2000 out of Continentals, that's it!

Back in 05, I found some Specialized tires that were on special, $10 a tire. Thick stuff but strong. I thought I'd get a couple thou but more like 4000 each. They were very smilar to the Armadillos but without the fancy label. I'm ot sur how long the Armadillos have been around but I'm thinking they were the pre Armadillo days.

I am talking about the big fat heavy Armadillos that stand in the center of the room by themselves! Yes, very heavy and sluggish but you get used to it. Worth 5000 IMO. I actually train with them on 5,000 ft mountain climbs. Then if I get challenged by another rider, I switch to some race tires!

I've heard lots of complaints about the new race style Armadillo! Mostly from lighter riders

socalrider

If your looking for a wider fast tire, the Conti SportContact is great.. Lots of sizes to choose from 700x28 - 32 and 37.. This tire is also available in 26 inch for mountain bikes which I have used in the past..

https://www.conti-online.com/generato...ontact_en.html

https://www.westernbikeworks.com/prod...il.asp?p=COSPC

sstorkel

At your weight, any of those tires sizes should work. On my carbon fiber bike, I'd be using 25s or maybe 28s. On my aluminum touring bike, I'd use 32s for a bit more comfort or 35s if I thought I was going to be riding on dirt roads or gravel paths.

njkayaker

What width are you currently using and how well are they working for you?

How fast do you normally ride (ie, what is your average speed)?

Also, how long are your rides?