23's on a hybrid bike?
#1
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23's on a hybrid bike?
I have been getting very used to the 23's on my track bike and have ordered some 23's for my hybrid bike as well for the summer season. I took off my cross tires that I had for winter (comfortable 32) but I am starting to regret ordering gatorskins in 23 for my hybrid perhaps I need something a little wider like a 28 for the heftier hybrid bike? I am a light rider < 150 lbs if that matters at all, and I tend to avoid most glass and potholes pretty good.
(pic is of a very old setup ~3 years ago)
(pic is of a very old setup ~3 years ago)
Last edited by Wallonthefloor; 03-21-15 at 05:24 PM.
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To me, there are few to no benefits to running 23's on almost any bike. Plenty of drawbacks though.
#6
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I ordered two 28mm tires, one continental 4 seasons and the other a vittoria pro tech. I know that continentals run at some odd sizes smaller than what they advertise. Would I notice any significant difference between the two? Should I put the wider tire on the front wheel, or does tread matter so should I put the conti on the front?
Last edited by Wallonthefloor; 03-21-15 at 11:18 PM.
#7
Senior Member
I have been getting very used to the 23's on my track bike and have ordered some 23's for my hybrid bike as well for the summer season. I took off my cross tires that I had for winter (comfortable 32) but I am starting to regret ordering gatorskins in 23 for my hybrid perhaps I need something a little wider like a 28 for the heftier hybrid bike? I am a light rider < 150 lbs if that matters at all, and I tend to avoid most glass and potholes pretty good.
(pic is of a very old setup ~3 years ago)
(pic is of a very old setup ~3 years ago)
#8
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Vittoria run small, a 28mm would be a 25mm in other brands. I think 28mm is the sweetspot for hybrids and I would certainly put a larger tire in the front for safety, more contact area to grab the road if a debris is in the way or worse a unseen crack.
#9
☢
As do I. I experience greater responsiveness in handling as well as greater speed over the 32mm which I equate to higher pressure. I also prefer them because they're skinny, but still tough.
#10
Really Old Senior Member
Apparently wide tires are for those who read articles about wide tires being faster.
For me they're not!
There may be a point of going too skinny for your weight.
I've found a 23mm is too harsh and gives too much "road buzz" for my 250 lbs, so I ride 25's (marked 26, but a bit small) and love them.
One thing you may want to check first is how wide is the exterior width of the rim? I prefer at least 1mm of rubber protruding beyond the brake track. A 23mm tire on my 23mm wide rim did not provide that. I now have 17.5mm exterior width rims.
For me they're not!
There may be a point of going too skinny for your weight.
I've found a 23mm is too harsh and gives too much "road buzz" for my 250 lbs, so I ride 25's (marked 26, but a bit small) and love them.
One thing you may want to check first is how wide is the exterior width of the rim? I prefer at least 1mm of rubber protruding beyond the brake track. A 23mm tire on my 23mm wide rim did not provide that. I now have 17.5mm exterior width rims.
#11
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Can Continental 4 seasons last all 4 seasons starting with spring? I hope it does not wear too much from hot pavement with its special type of rubber compound I have read is great for winter time.
#12
aka Phil Jungels
It all depends on how much snow and ice you plan to ride on.
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Apparently wide tires are for those who read articles about wide tires being faster.
For me they're not!
There may be a point of going too skinny for your weight.
I've found a 23mm is too harsh and gives too much "road buzz" for my 250 lbs, so I ride 25's (marked 26, but a bit small) and love them.
One thing you may want to check first is how wide is the exterior width of the rim? I prefer at least 1mm of rubber protruding beyond the brake track. A 23mm tire on my 23mm wide rim did not provide that. I now have 17.5mm exterior width rims.
For me they're not!
There may be a point of going too skinny for your weight.
I've found a 23mm is too harsh and gives too much "road buzz" for my 250 lbs, so I ride 25's (marked 26, but a bit small) and love them.
One thing you may want to check first is how wide is the exterior width of the rim? I prefer at least 1mm of rubber protruding beyond the brake track. A 23mm tire on my 23mm wide rim did not provide that. I now have 17.5mm exterior width rims.
#14
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#15
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As do I. I've accumulated thousands of kms on our lousy roads on 25s, 28s, and 32s (all equivalent quality).
My experience bears out the "articles"; 32s at the lower pressures they permit are noticeably 'easy rolling' and transmit far less road noise than either 28s or 25s on poor surfaces.
Yes, there is a very slight weight penalty (affects acceleration), but I'll gladly pay that. Would I go wider? No ... not on a 700c wheel; the weight penalty would become too obvious. Would I drop back to 28s -- or even 25s -- and save a bit of weight? Yes, if our roads were maintained in better condition. But they're not, so I won't.
Summary: as between 25 or 28 on the one hand, and 32 on the other (again, assuming same/equivalent tire construction/quality), there's no rolling resistance penalty and negligible weight penalty to be paid to offset the significant decrease in road noise/consequent fatigue. There is obviously an 'aero' penalty, but that is totally irrelevant to me.
My experience bears out the "articles"; 32s at the lower pressures they permit are noticeably 'easy rolling' and transmit far less road noise than either 28s or 25s on poor surfaces.
Yes, there is a very slight weight penalty (affects acceleration), but I'll gladly pay that. Would I go wider? No ... not on a 700c wheel; the weight penalty would become too obvious. Would I drop back to 28s -- or even 25s -- and save a bit of weight? Yes, if our roads were maintained in better condition. But they're not, so I won't.
Summary: as between 25 or 28 on the one hand, and 32 on the other (again, assuming same/equivalent tire construction/quality), there's no rolling resistance penalty and negligible weight penalty to be paid to offset the significant decrease in road noise/consequent fatigue. There is obviously an 'aero' penalty, but that is totally irrelevant to me.
#16
Really Old Senior Member
As do I. I've accumulated thousands of kms on our lousy roads on 25s, 28s, and 32s (all equivalent quality).
My experience bears out the "articles"; 32s at the lower pressures they permit are noticeably 'easy rolling' and transmit far less road noise than either 28s or 25s on poor surfaces.
Yes, there is a very slight weight penalty (affects acceleration), but I'll gladly pay that. Would I go wider? No ... not on a 700c wheel; the weight penalty would become too obvious. Would I drop back to 28s -- or even 25s -- and save a bit of weight? Yes, if our roads were maintained in better condition. But they're not, so I won't.
Summary: as between 25 or 28 on the one hand, and 32 on the other (again, assuming same/equivalent tire construction/quality), there's no rolling resistance penalty and negligible weight penalty to be paid to offset the significant decrease in road noise/consequent fatigue. There is obviously an 'aero' penalty, but that is totally irrelevant to me.
My experience bears out the "articles"; 32s at the lower pressures they permit are noticeably 'easy rolling' and transmit far less road noise than either 28s or 25s on poor surfaces.
Yes, there is a very slight weight penalty (affects acceleration), but I'll gladly pay that. Would I go wider? No ... not on a 700c wheel; the weight penalty would become too obvious. Would I drop back to 28s -- or even 25s -- and save a bit of weight? Yes, if our roads were maintained in better condition. But they're not, so I won't.
Summary: as between 25 or 28 on the one hand, and 32 on the other (again, assuming same/equivalent tire construction/quality), there's no rolling resistance penalty and negligible weight penalty to be paid to offset the significant decrease in road noise/consequent fatigue. There is obviously an 'aero' penalty, but that is totally irrelevant to me.
2. Lighter wheels & tires made the difference between me doing a 50 mile day vs a 70 mile day.
I'm an old guy with emphysema. ANY energy I save adds greatly to the miles I can ride in a day.
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Cheers.
#18
Banned
Width alone does not tell you everything..
Expensive tires like The jack brown 33.3 roll very nicely, indeed Jack Brown BLUE 700c x 33.333 Tough - 10092 - BLUE
compass bike imports these from Japan Compass Bicycles: 700C Tires
Expensive tires like The jack brown 33.3 roll very nicely, indeed Jack Brown BLUE 700c x 33.333 Tough - 10092 - BLUE
compass bike imports these from Japan Compass Bicycles: 700C Tires
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I ride 23s on my litespeed tuscany ti converted to a flat bar and have no issues except i slow down in ice/ snow a bit. The same on my binachi nirone 7 aluminum was to harsh But on a nice flat road it pulled so fast til i hit a road crack and had to down again