Am I too large for these tires?
04-17-07, 11:55 PM
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Am I too large for these tires?
Greetings, great forum!
I'm 5' 11", 225lbs, and getting back into cycling after five years of laziness and 50lbs. My main bike is an old Trek 460 in excellent condition, currently shod with Continental Grand Prix 3000 700x23's.
Is this tire safe at my weight? I'm careful about holes, curbs, bumps etc, but I do tend to ride rather aggressively (especially on descents!).
Or should I dust off the Schwinn 2-speed?
Thanks much,
Garry
I'm 5' 11", 225lbs, and getting back into cycling after five years of laziness and 50lbs. My main bike is an old Trek 460 in excellent condition, currently shod with Continental Grand Prix 3000 700x23's.
Is this tire safe at my weight? I'm careful about holes, curbs, bumps etc, but I do tend to ride rather aggressively (especially on descents!).
Or should I dust off the Schwinn 2-speed?
Thanks much,
Garry
04-18-07, 01:07 AM
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700x23 no problem. Just keep the pressure up to avoid pinch flats - I'm not far off your weight, and run at about 125psi rear / 115psi front.
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04-18-07, 06:39 AM
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700x23c is certainly safe at 225lbs. You may find, however, that you don't like the ride at the pressure to which you need to inflate them to avoid pinch flats.
700x25c would allow a little lower pressure, and therefore a more comfortable ride. But other than comfort, there's really no reason not to ride what you have.
700x25c would allow a little lower pressure, and therefore a more comfortable ride. But other than comfort, there's really no reason not to ride what you have.
04-18-07, 07:07 AM
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Go for it. You are NOT too large.
04-18-07, 07:51 AM
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Wow! Thanks much for the quick responses! 
Ride comfort is not an issue, I ran 120psi even when I was at 175lbs, 'cause I like the "twitch factor". I'll get it out and get busy!
Ride comfort is not an issue, I ran 120psi even when I was at 175lbs, 'cause I like the "twitch factor". I'll get it out and get busy!
04-18-07, 08:02 AM
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Originally Posted by prof55
Greetings, great forum!
I'm 5' 11", 225lbs, and getting back into cycling after five years of laziness and 50lbs. My main bike is an old Trek 460 in excellent condition, currently shod with Continental Grand Prix 3000 700x23's.
Is this tire safe at my weight? I'm careful about holes, curbs, bumps etc, but I do tend to ride rather aggressively (especially on descents!).
Or should I dust off the Schwinn 2-speed?
Thanks much,
Garry
I'm 5' 11", 225lbs, and getting back into cycling after five years of laziness and 50lbs. My main bike is an old Trek 460 in excellent condition, currently shod with Continental Grand Prix 3000 700x23's.
Is this tire safe at my weight? I'm careful about holes, curbs, bumps etc, but I do tend to ride rather aggressively (especially on descents!).
Or should I dust off the Schwinn 2-speed?
Thanks much,
Garry
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04-18-07, 08:40 AM
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Big men rate big tires. 700 x 23 is for lightweight girly-men. If a 140 lb Tour de France rider wears a size 2 jersey measuring 16 inches across the chest would you wear one as well? There is nothing more miserable for your hands and butt than riding around with tires pumped up to 125 psi. (when you're not getting a rest changing the numerous flats you'll get) 700 x 28 is the minimal size for anyone over 200 lbs riding on glass smooth pavement. Hairy chested riders who aren't afraid of rough pavement or gravely roads will opt for a more manly 700 x 35.
04-18-07, 10:23 AM
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Originally Posted by MKahrl
Big men rate big tires. 700 x 23 is for lightweight girly-men. If a 140 lb Tour de France rider wears a size 2 jersey measuring 16 inches across the chest would you wear one as well? There is nothing more miserable for your hands and butt than riding around with tires pumped up to 125 psi. (when you're not getting a rest changing the numerous flats you'll get) 700 x 28 is the minimal size for anyone over 200 lbs riding on glass smooth pavement. Hairy chested riders who aren't afraid of rough pavement or gravely roads will opt for a more manly 700 x 35.
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04-18-07, 10:37 AM
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6'3", 209 (dammit! it won't go down!) and I've always ridden 700/23, including when I was 225. I run em at 100psi front/105 psi rear. I can't imagine the rock hard ride you guys are talking about with your tires up at 120psi....
04-18-07, 10:40 AM
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Originally Posted by MKahrl
Big men rate big tires. 700 x 23 is for lightweight girly-men. If a 140 lb Tour de France rider wears a size 2 jersey measuring 16 inches across the chest would you wear one as well? There is nothing more miserable for your hands and butt than riding around with tires pumped up to 125 psi. (when you're not getting a rest changing the numerous flats you'll get) 700 x 28 is the minimal size for anyone over 200 lbs riding on glass smooth pavement. Hairy chested riders who aren't afraid of rough pavement or gravely roads will opt for a more manly 700 x 35.
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04-18-07, 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by superdex
6'3", 209 (dammit! it won't go down!) and I've always ridden 700/23, including when I was 225. I run em at 100psi front/105 psi rear. I can't imagine the rock hard ride you guys are talking about with your tires up at 120psi....
04-18-07, 10:44 AM
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You'll be fine, but IMHO those tires are POS. Slow, fragile sidewalls, and subject to cord breakage so that the casing goes S-shaped. Run 'em 'til they go and then get something else.
BTW, I run my tires at 145 at rando distances and have no problem with ride quality.
BTW, I run my tires at 145 at rando distances and have no problem with ride quality.
Last edited by Carbonfiberboy; 04-18-07 at 10:51 AM.
