tingjunkie

Hey Folks,
I just bought a great used road bike turned hybrid for my NYC commute. It came with 700 x 25mm Serfa tires on it, which gave a very nice feel to the ride on my first day with the bike. However, at 225 lbs, I am a little concerned with how they are going to hold up on the very pot-holed, very crappy roads I am forced to endure. I don't mind getting jostled a bit, I just really don't want to deal with frequent flats or bent rims.

No problem, just get wider tires, right? But here's the catch... the current fenders on the bike will only accommodate a 28mm tire at most. So, if I move up to a 28mm, is there going to be any real difference in durability (i.e. keeping away from flats and bent rims) compared to the 25's? The fork will accommodate larger fenders, but I don't really want to shell out $35 for new fenders AND then have to spend money on new tires as well. On the other hand, if 28's won't be tough enough to begin with, I'd rather do things right the first time and suck up the cost. New fenders + correct new tires would be better than new wrong tires + new fenders + new correct tires.

So, to sum up the question, are 25mm or 28mm tires tough enough to stand up to REALLY crappy NYC streets, or should I bite the fender bullet and go bigger?

mike

I don't think the extra width is going to prevent flats or rim damage. Save your money for replacing the damaged rims.

I understand your dilemma. I am also a Clydedale Commuter. This is why guys who commute on crappy roads ride crappy bikes. I ride old 27" wheels because I was able to part out tons of old 10-speeds and collect a good supply of spare wheels.

If you ride really bad rodes with potholes, you are going to damage the rims sooner than later. The types of damage are usually difficult to fix like flayed rim flanges and flat spots, not to mention snake-bite pinch flats on the tires.

jwbnyc

Depends.

What are your riding skills like?

How much do you pay attention to road conditions?

Are you riding for recreation or commuting/utility purposes?

How large a tire will fit in your frame?

With fenders?

Without fenders?

I'm 135-140lbs. and run 28s and 32s on my 700c bikes, particular now as it's winter.

The continuing deterioration of the streets in NYC has been a factor as well.

I used to run 23s summer and 28s winter. The streets are getting worse however. Now I only run 23s for rec rides in good weather.

At 200+ lbs., I'd be running 32s at least for commuting. Only you can make that call.

FWIW, I think a 35mm tire is probably the best general purpose 700c tire for dealing with the crappy roads around here. I like 38-40mm (1.5-1.6") for 26" wheels.

nubcake

I dont think you should have to look at wheels as disposable parts like mike suggests. I havnt done the 25-28 swap but ive went from 23-25 and it made a much bigger difference than i ever thought. I would just aim to find a really bombproof 28mm tire, something like a more touring oriented tire. Both continental and schawlbe make some great ones.

Other than that make sure to run your tires up close to max psi to help prevent pinch flats as well.

jwbnyc

Something else: how wide a rim with how many spokes per wheel are you running?

Generally, if you run the largest recommended tire for a particular rim it will do a pretty good job of protecting that rim. Spoke count in the range of 32-36 per wheel will make for a more durable wheel as well.

nashcommguy

Get yourself some Schwalbe Marathon Plus 28mm tires and your worries will be over...'til it comes time to mount them. A KoolStop Mounting tool will cut down on 'pinch flats' while mounting and get extrawide rim tape, too. SMPs are pricey at 35.00 per, but you'll get about 5-7000 miles out of them...well worth it. I've got 3 commuters w/SMPs and one w/Nuteck airless...it never gets ridden unless all 3 of the other bikes are down at one time. Small chance.

Given your size and terrain the 28mm should suffice(keep them pumped up to 100 psi), but if not then 32mm for sure will, but you'll have to 'upsize' your fenders...something you were trying to avoid. 28's should be fine. Good Luck!

https://www.biketiresdirect.com

https://www.lickbike.com

https://www.aebike.com

noteon 

I'm your neighbor in Washington Heights. In my experience, tire construction is way more important than a 3mm difference. Cheap and wide will flat more than tough and narrow.

+1 on the Marathon Plus. I also like the Bontrager Hardcase.

10 Wheels

I now have these.
Much softer ride if you have bad roads.
No levers needed to put them on.

https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...%20to%20700x28

SlimAgainSoon

Yes -- 28 mm tires will make a big difference.

Bear in mind that the tires are not only wider but taller as well. And you can run lower pressures.

A lot more cushion. You won't be disappointed.

CACycling

Having gotten a new road bike for Christmas, I converted my old road bike to commuter. I changed from 700cx25 Schwalbe to 700cx28 Forte GT2/k and added the Forte thron-resistant tubes (they are really thick). Today was the first commute with this set up and it was noticeably smoother going over rough spots and hazards. Only time will tell but I think it will be a good combination plus 2 tires and 3 tubes only cost $35.

blueeyedme

Well I am 6'2 and weigh 250lbs... I commute 16 miles each way with 700x25 Conti Gatorskins with no problems... I went to the 25s after my 28s wore out and can't tell any difference.

tingjunkie

Thanks for all the great input folks! My wheels are 36-spoke, and 15mm wide, so according to Sheldon, I could go up to 32mm (or even 35mm?) tires. Hmmm... wonder if I could get away with 32's on the Planet Bike fenders I have now even though they aren't rated for it?

I guess my plan of attack will be to keep the 25's on until they crap out, then upgrade to Gatorskin or Marathon 28mm's. Is that a good idea, or should I just upgrade now to add a bit more protection for the rims? Better safe than sorry, but then again, if rim damage isn't really correlated with tire width, then I would rather just run the 25's until they bust. As I said, I do like the ride quality now.

dynaryder

My Big Buzz has 32mm Vittoria Randonneurs under those fenders and they just fit. I went with them because I commuted on it for awhile and the alloy fork was bothering my carpel tunnel. In addition to being wider than the stock 28's,they were also lower pressure,only 75psi. Noticable improvement in ride quality.

SlimAgainSoon

I think you'll do fine riding out those 25s.

The difference between 25s and 23s was huge for me.

Between 25s and 28s, just more goodness.

By the way, CACycling's 700cx28 Forte GT2/k tires are excellent -- outstanding value (it is a house brand for Performance).

I would think you wouldn't need extra-tough tubes with those tires, either.