Monstermash

Some of you may have seen the thread I started outlining the problems I had with a set of Schwalbe Ultremos in size 28mm. It's here in case you missed it:

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...patible-2.html

Unfortunately the way Schwalbe manufacturers the bead on their tires, they would not work on my 23mm (ID) rims (See above link for explanation). So I'm looking for a tire that is similar in performance, durability, and weight to the Ultremos but do not want a tire that is spec'd at larger than 28mm. So I'm looking for a tire that the manufacturer rates as a 28mm but is actually larger when mounted.

I tried mounting a Hutchinson Equinox in a 25mm as an experiment (because Schwalbe told me a 28mm was too small for my rim and that's why they kept coming off the rim at the bead) and found it to be 28.5mm on my rim.

So what what tires can I look at that are actually larger than the manufacturer's spec's? I'm looking for slick tires only please. Nothing with a visible tread. I originally chose the Ultremos because from everything I had read about them, they were actually closer to 31mm when mounted.

Thanks

chaadster

You're confusing me here....

Are you saying your rims have a 23mm bead seat width (aka inner width)? That's quite wide; which rims are they?

Monstermash

Crank Brothers Iodine 2 wheelset. They're on my Litespeed disc bike and I need some road tires for it.

Monstermash

Anyone have any input?

Jiggle

You want wide road tires? Michelin Pilot Sport 32mm.

Monstermash

They are not slicks and they are way to heavy at 450g. Also, I do not want reflective. I've looking for a light weight road tire, not a hybrid tire. But thanks for posting.

Raiden

Continental gatorskin, 32mm in folding bead.

Monstermash

Again.... way too heavy and not a slick. I'm looking for something similar to the Schwalbe Ultremo. Those weigh 205g in size 28mm.

JeremyLC

I ride 23mm Gatorskins and I have to ask, what, precisely, do you consider to be "slick"?

(they ARE heavy, though)

Monstermash

I consider a slick to have no visible tread.

chaadster

I don't get the fixation on putting 28c tires on a super wide 29er MTB rim; what's the connection? Why do you think 28 is the size, and if it has anything to do with weight or aero, why are you running heavy MTB wheels?

Anyway, I guess I don't really care, but do think it would behoove you to look at wider tires, if only because you've already tried 28s, but also because I don't think you're sacrificing anything going with 32c.

A tire like the Compass Stampede Pass Extralite 32c at 254g is pretty light for the size:
Compass Bicycles: 700C Tires

Dean V

The Schwalbe is just a fairly loose fitting tyre. I have had trouble with it blowing off some rims as well. It is nothing to do with rim width but is more related to diameter and bead. The Michelin Pro Race in a 25mm is a big tyre and similar to most 28s, though still a bit smaller than the 28mm Ultremo. Similar weight and performance too. Michelin are also bringing out a 28mm but I don't know when it will be available.

Monstermash

Ok, forget sizing for a moment. What is so hard to understand about "slick"? I'm not trying to be a d*ck but why is it everyone has to chime in without an actual answer to the proposed question. I see it all the time on this forum. Like the member who asked which color bottle cage looked better on his bike. All he wanted was some other's opinion on which color looked better. But instead he received dozens of responses suggesting other cages that were available. Seriously guys, stop trying to impose you will on others. If we come here and ask for help why is it so difficult to just answer the question within the parameters specified?

I don't claim to know every model tire from every brand so I'm asking for input from others that may know of a model I'm not familiar with. So please, I'm ONLY looking for slick tires in size 28mm. I do not want a tire with any visible tread nor do I want a tire larger than 28mm. Once the tire gets any larger than 28mm they tend to trend more towards a hybrid tire which in turn gets much heavier than I would like and finding them in a slick becomes difficult. Yes, I realize the wheels I chose are heavier than some road wheels I could have used but I chose these because of the look of the wheels. And because of the profile of a 28mm tire on a wide rim it it will give me the ride quality I'm looking for. Additionally using a lighter 28mm tire will offset the additional weight from the wheels.

Monstermash

will the 28mm offering also be a Pro Race model? If so we may have a winner! :-)

Raiden

The 'tread' on a gatorskin is totally negligible, like something they stamp into the tire for aesthetics. I don't think it even touches the ground unless you're cornering hard. Whatever.

Dean V

It's called a Pro4 Endurance

prathmann

Pro4 Endurance. Here's some more discussion of it:
IB14: Michelin Sizes Up with 28mm Pro 4 Endurance Road Bike Tires

chaadster

I'll bet money the P4E 28c will weigh more than the Compass 32c, though. Betchya...

gregf83 

Relax. People here are honestly trying to help an inexperienced cyclist. Worrying or being concerned about a little tread (that will soon wear off) doesn't make sense to anyone which is why most just ignore that criteria. You're not getting many knowledgable responses because you've settled on a very odd wheel and tire combination.

prathmann

I'm sure it will, but the Compass SP-EL has both a '32' embossed on the sidewall and tiny diagonal sipes on the tread surface and apparently those two characteristics take it out of the running.

chaadster

It is true that I consider the traditional road herringbone, or file, pattern together with totally treadless as "slicks," but it was my mistake that I overlooked the "no visible tread" requirement laid out by the OP as being related to weight, rather than being an aesthetic thing. They were really quite clear about that, so I understand their frustration.

That said, I have real concerns about whether any 28c road tire will be secure on a 23mm bsw rim. I dunno for sure it will be a problem, and in fact, I run 28c Vittoria Randonneur Pros on 20mm bsw Velocity Blunts without problem, but another 3mm could be a game changer. I'd be very unhappy to pop a bead in a turn.

JeremyLC

That's why I asked. The tread on my Gators doesn't touch the ground unless I'm cornering at a truly terrifying velocity.

Jiggle

You guys aren't doing a good enough job being my personal free search engine!!!!



Challenge Strada Bianca, 700x30mm. DONE.

Monstermash

Yeah, thats it! I'm just using you guys as my personal Google. Seriously? I guess you have never asked a question on the forum then? I'm sorry all knowing one, I shall never ask for other's suggestions again. In the future I will try and be just like you and know everything about everything.

And oh BTW, in reference to your suggestion on the Challenge Strada...... it's a 30mm tire. But I guess you know whats best for me and what I really want right?

Monstermash

Thanks for understanding.

I'm pretty sure if the tire doesn't say "Schwalbe" on the side mounting a 28mm tire on my rim won't be a problem. Just to see I mounted a 25mm Hutchinson Equinox on the wheel at max psi without any issues.






Here is a photo of the difference in the beads between the Hutchinson and the Schwalbe. It's very easy to see why the Schwalbe wouldn't stay seated....



While that may be true on a narrower rim, if mounted on a wide rim like the one I'm using it will have a different profile and be in contact with the road more often than not. Also, it's not about the tread making contact with the road. It's more about aesthetics.