SpeshulEd 

I think wider tires are becoming more "in" as more pro's seem to be going with wider options as well. Right now, I run 23s up front and 25s in the back as I'm trying to use up my remaining 23s. I just find the 25s to be a nicer ride.

02Giant 

I always find better deals on GP 4k II's in 23 vs 25, me thinks 25's sell better.

ThermionicScott 

Well, then that customer is a dumbass and while it wouldn't hurt to keep a couple of 23-622 tires on hand, you should be careful letting people influence what you stock up on.

CliffordK

Which is an attitude that would sink any business, big or small.

Perhaps one should ask what your primary customer base is.

If you are mainly selling MTBs, Cyclocross, and Hybrid bikes (components), and the occasional road bike component, then it would make sense to have a restricted stock.

On the other hand, you're catering primarily to road bike users, then you would benefit from a broader inventory including several brands of 23, 25, and probably 28 & 32mm tires.

ThermionicScott 

Possibly, but excess inventory can kill a business, too. Remember that building wheels is his business, and his customers are the ones who talked him into stocking tires as well. Now he needs to be careful not to lose money in doing that. Unless I was savvy enough to think I could add to my profitability by selling tires as well, I'd just tell people to buy their tires online.

Old_Roadie

I voted for 23s since 25s will not fit on my frame. I would love to go to 25s but cannot.
Currently running Schwalbe One tubeless
I would think that from the poll both should be stocked

CliffordK

True...
But direct customers to the internet.
And they may actually discover that they can also buy wheels online.

ClarkinHawaii

I think so too.

Thanks, everybody!

ThermionicScott 

One of the reasons I won't be going into the wheel-building business, and give props to Clark for doing it!

Not to be argumentative, but I wonder how many bike riders with Internet access haven't already stumbled upon a sidebar advertisement for wheels if they've casually Googled "bike wheel" for any reason... I'm sure Clark builds a good wheel, and one can distinguish themselves over machine-built wheels if they develop a good reputation.

FIVE ONE SIX

i'm 230# and i know a decent amount of clyde's, and not a single one runs 25's, especially considering the way technology is today with tubeless and all...

sure, 25's are trendy on road bikes since last year and all, but if you have and like your 23's than switching usually doesn't warrant the investment. also, keep in mind that 23's fit all road bike frames and forks and 25's do not...

and i love how 25's are leading this poll, yet walk into pretty much ANY bike shop and you will see WAY more 23's for sale than 25's. sure, if you wanna run 25's in the off months because of the condition of the roads than knock yourself out, but the majority of riders in the summer will always be riding 23's over 25's in the end. and that majority of people running 25's are usually people that got a bike recently that came with 25's and never rode on 23's...

ClarkinHawaii

That's it right there . . .

Also, I would never dream of trying to make a living doing this--it's just a hobby to benefit charity. Because it's for a good cause, people cut me a lot of slack.

ClarkinHawaii

That's because they started with an equal amount of 23s and 25s but have sold WAY more 25s.

Just kidding! Anyway, I just ordered a bunch of 23s so now I will have an equal number of both sizes in stock.

revchuck 

Clark - I work in a LBS. Most of the 700C tires we sell are 23s. This will probably change over time as the two brands we carry, Specialized and Giant, are currently spec'd with 25s on their road bikes, and most folks seem to want the same size that came on the bike originally. I'm not sure how/if this would apply to your business.

FWIW, I ride on 25s except for my TT bike which won't accept anything larger than a 23. Oh, and my '87 Centurion Ironman wears 23s so I could match the sidewalls to the bike.

02Giant 

A lot of generalizations there.

nhluhr

700x23 is still top seller at our shop but x25 is picking up steam quickly.

rms13

probably depends on your audience/customer base. Shops where I live that cater toward racers and wannabe racer/fast club riders probably sell 95% 700x23 because they make you feel like less of a man if you want something else. Another shop where I live caters more toward commuters and recreational riders and I would bet they sell more 700x25 and even 700x28

Tusky

Last year a commentator on one of the tour broadcasts mentioned that the pros were riding 25's because of the greater control and comfort they were getting. He also mentioned that they were riding 28's on cobbles.

bikejrff

My vote just broke the tie!

Diablito

Earlier today my new tires arrived in the mail. I've always ridden on 20's & 23's but a few days ago I read that the difference between a 23 and 25 is 1.6 watts when running them at 80-90 psi. which doesn't make much of a difference to me. I much rather ride a comfortable ride then a harsh one. So I ordered 25's. I went for a quick 10 mile ride and was surprised that at 85 psi my 25's felt just as comfortable as my 35's at 85 psi. but were much quicker. Very happy with 25's and when I feel curious I will jack up the psi. For now I'm cruising at an average of 16mph comfortably

SevenTwentyNine

Really can't tell whether the people I ride with run 23's or 25's never bothered to really look with the exception of a guy who sometimes brings his cyclocross bike with like 32''s+ and still climbs easily with them like a mountain goat.
The owner of my LBS says 25 are the fad and sell very quickly compared to 23's. He says they sell because people prefer the safer aspect of it with etc. I still ride 23's.