ChanceG

Guys I'm needing some help. I want to upgrade my tires for speed and less weight. I have the stock bontrager racelite hard case 700x32c. I weight 205lbs and do only riding on the road in only dry weather conditions. I was thinking want to try some 25c tires. I don't which to go with????

TIA
Chance

Bill Kapaun

I have about 2000 miles on these and it looks like I may get close to that many more-
https://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...t-tire-folding

Pretty light weight and a good price.
I had them on my original 23mm Hybrid rims (replaced 35mm tires) and transferred them to my home built Sun Rims M13 II's.

giantcfr1

I use Vittoria Rubino Pro tyres. 23mm
Perfect for speed and climbing on open roads.

themishmosh

I went from Bontrager hardcase lite 700x32 to Bontrager All Weather Plus 700x28 to Michelin Pro4 Service Course 700x25. The Michelins are by far my favorite. Very light and so far very puncture-resistant. Got them from Amazon. Check them out!

MRT2

Will your rims even take 25 c tires?

ChanceG

Yes, they are 622x15

MRT2

If you are curious and have the cash, by all means, give it a shot. You can always change back if you don't like it.

That said, I suspect that the weight savings between Bontrager 32 c and an equivalent quality 25 c tire will be very small. While I could be wrong, I suspect the efficiency gain, and therefore the time gained on, say, a 35 or 40 mile ride between two comparable quality tires, one 32 and one 25, both being ridden by identical 205 lb riders might be measured in seconds. And, this would be at the expense of ride quality and perhaps, flat protection.

KungPaoSchwinn

Get the skiniest one you can,be prepare to bust your behind when you ride on wet surface.

Bill Kapaun

Makes no sense at all!

rumrunn6

go to your LBS and just see what they have in stock

KungPaoSchwinn

The man said he wants speed and light weight tires for the road, make sense now?

Bill Kapaun

No

ChanceG

Thanks, but you can keep the dumb ass comments to yourself. Like I said I don't ride in the rain period.

To all others, with helpful comments, thanks. I ordered a set of Cont GP4s and couple of extra tubes as well just in case.

ksmoondoggie

I realize this is an old tread, but I am considering upgrading tires also and was wondering what size you chose and how you like the Cont GP4s now that you've had them awhile? I have a Trek 7.3 FX with stock 700x32 Bontragers and I'm thinking I'd like to go smaller… say 28s as I don't think my rims will allow me to go down to 25s.

ChanceG

Well I went with 25's and loved them. I rarely ride the bike now though bc I switch over to the dark side to a road bike. It was a night and day difference in a very good way. Smoother ride and all

ksmoondoggie

Thanks for the reply and congrats on the new road bike. If you lived a little closer you could pass me.

themishmosh

On my Trek hybrid, I have 700x28 Conti 4season tires. They actually run a little small for stated size. Regardless, they are lightweight androll fast--super grippy in dry and wet. I've only had them on a couple hundred miles but they are reportedly very durable and puncture resistant. Highly recommended.

ksmoondoggie

They sound like they might be just what I am looking for. Nice to get the feedback, especially from those with not only experience but similar bikes. What tires did you run before these? Also, what tire pressure do you like? I'm hoping un upgrade will result in less resistance and greater speed. I'm not looking to race but a little extra speed would be nice. I'm also wondering how much "comfort" I might be sacrificing if I go to a more narrow tire (700x32 to 700x28).

MRT2

I don't think it will make much difference in speed or ride quality.

Bill Kapaun

What do you weigh?
I'm 240.
I tried a 23mm on the front, but the "road buzz" was too numbing on my hands at the pressure I had to run. Back to the 26mm and things are much better.

themishmosh

My Trek came with 700x32 Hardcase Lite. I was happy with the tires but not with the size. Going more narrow just feels more responsive and faster (even though my times are roughly the same). I do paved paths and fine ground limestone trails--nothing hardcore so the 700x28 and even 700x25 is fine. I also tried Bontrager Allweather Plus, Conti comfortcontact, and the Michelin Pro4 Service course (which I also love). The 4Seasons are probably the best tires I have ever used and right up there with the Michelins I have on my other hybrid. I pump them to 110psi but let them sag to 80s over the course of a week or so. I LIKE feeling the road conditions beneath me and I don't feel the ride is uncomfortable at all.

ksmoondoggie

I'm 160. FYI - I currently have the stock flat bar but I am considering a trekking bar for additional positions and hand comfort.

ksmoondoggie

My Trek came with 700x32 Satellite Hardcase. I do not know the specs on these Bontrager tires but suspect it is not the among the light or speedy. However, I cannot complain about the wear or durability of these tires (only one flat so far and discovered it before instead of during my ride). I generally ride paved paths. I occasionally venture off the pavement but I'm not into coarse or loose rock/gravel rides. I have ran Michelins on my cars for years and I looked at the Michelin Pro4 Service Course tires. They appear to be great tires as well but they are not available in a size for my rims (only 23 & 25) plus the Conti 4 Season tires sound like they would give me greater flexibility to ride year round (on various surfaces & in various weather). Finally, it sounds an upgrade (whether Conti 4 Season or another quality tire) would give me a "more responsive" feel (even if only perceived vs. actual average speed).

themishmosh

Michelin Pro4 SC should still be in play. I have 700x25 on my Marin hybrid. The Michelins run large for size and actually look the same or maybe even larger than the Conti 4Seasons 700x28. Tough to say which I love more--the 4Seasons are near new so may be a littlle grippier to me right now. Both are grippy, responsive, and have reputations for flat-resistence. Others will tell you Schwalbe Marathon Supremes--have not tried those but for me, I will have no incentive to tire shop anymore. Lighter grippier tires are like putting lightweight rims/tires on your car. I have no idea why I'm not faster but you can tell peddling there is a huge difference in responsiveness and enjoyment. I'm not really any faster with my carbon hybrid vs. my aluminum hybrid but the carbon one just feels faster, more responsive and more importantly, more enjoyable--same thing with quality narrow tires.

ksmoondoggie

Thanks for the additional information. I may need to put the Michelin Pro4 SC back on the short list of contenders. How about the tread (or lack thereof on them)… they look pretty smooth compared to the Conti 4Seasons? I'm not a commuter so I don't have to prepare/deal with the potential for adverse weather on a daily basis but my initial impressions (which may be wrong) were that the Conti 4Seasons might have an edge over the Michelin Pro4 SCs in ability to ride off path and to grip wet pavement.