Chicagoan

My fairweather commuter is an '07 Specialized Crossroads Sport fitted with a thinner seat, rack, full fenders, cyclocomputer, and lights. Next I want to upgrade to slicks. The current tires are 700c by 38c how much thinner can I go. I'm young, I don't need a cushy ride.

Pig_Chaser

i commute on 23c's, ride can be pretty unforgiving but then again it shaves 2.4 minutes off my average commute (i have no data to back up that assertion).

knobster

I'm thinking 23's might be too small for the wheels on that bike. You might be able to go down to 25's though. I use Continental Ultra Gatorskins in 25mm and they have been great for over 3 years now. This is on a cross bike also so it has some wide wheels.

bsyptak

I'd go 28s or 32s. Tires aren't very standard either. Some 28s are really 32 & vice versa once you get them on your rim. You could go down as low as 25 or 23 if your rims allow, but risk flatting on bad roads from potholes and such. You won't notice much difference in speed from 25 to 28, especially if you keep the 28s pumped up to the max.

JustBrowsing

Not to mention that a common size for tubes is 28-32. I like the 28 Conti Ultra Gatorskins.

legstwelve

I use Michel Krylion Carbon 23's. Best tires I've ever ridden, I've had no flats for a year and they're fast which is always a priority. They come in 25s and are rated for 5000km+

tarwheel 

Look for some Panaracer Pasela TGs with kevlar beads in size 700x28 or 32 or Michelin Krylions in 700x25. The Paselas don't roll as nicely as the Krylions, but are very durable and flat resistant. Michelins run wider than most tires, so a Krylion in 700x25 is as wide as most 28s. Both tires are reasonably light for a durable tire, eg, less than 300 g.

climbhoser

Remember, wider tires have less rolling resistance at the same pressure as a narrower tire. The difficulty is in attaining the same pressure, especially since narrower tires are able to take more pressure.

I like 32s for the cushion, and I pump 'em up to a solid 110 PSI. They roll just as fast if not faster than my 25s. There are lots of good tires, and you have to ascertain what your goals are: do you want speed? Do you want flat resistance? What are you willing to give up?

I think the Marathon Supreme is pretty much the best tire for me, as it has great flat protection and it's a really fast tire. The narrowest it comes in is a 32, however...which doesn't bug me

The Marathon Plus is great, too, but is a bit heavier and slower, and is overkill in flat protection for me.

I have neither...am on Panaracer Urban Maxes (32) and Bontrager Hardcases (25) depending on the wheels I use.

bedian

+1

discosaurus

700x23 were too narrow for my hybrid, but I found the Soma everwear 700x26 to be perfect. They can take pretty high pressure too, up to 120-ish psi. I never flatted once in a thousand miles on those, and I suspect they would have lasted forever had I not wrecked the bike.