Adam G.

Will the tubes I have now work with 23's or do I have to buy new tubes as well?

darksiderising

You should get new tubes.

SheistyMike

def new tubes. there's also a good chance that you're current tubes are even 28/32.

chore4n

If you're gonna start riding with 23's, get ready for way more road vibration, and even the smallest things can knock you over.

I ride with both 23's, and I tried to turn into a driveway to get onto the sidewalk and my tire was too small, and I fell over sideways. Hard.

frankstoneline

I cant tell a whole lot of difference and have been riding a 28-32 tube in a 23 tire for a couple months now.
no explosions yet, not saying its a good idea, but it hasnt wronged me yet (knock on wood).
I think the whole falling thing might have less to do with tires and more to do with operator error...
I ride 23's on 2 bikes, 28's on one and 27" on my 4th, and though some seem smoother and slower, as far as falling issues, I dont notice any.

Adam G.

I am not worried about falling. It definitely does come down to the operator of riding your bike,having control and technique.

sneaky viking

They can work. They're just a little harder to install. It also depends on if your 23 is a true 23, etc.

It's not ideal, but if you're broke go for it. If you're not broke, save the tubes for when you want to ga back to bigger tire.

powerband

Buy new tubes when they go on sale.



23s will do this? They've never done it to me. I've ridden 23s for a couple of decades.

crushkilldstroy

Is there a particular reason why you want to go down to 23's?

The tubes will most likely work, just pay attention during installation.

vee_dub

I love my 28s...it just feels so much safer than 23s, just by looking at it.
28 feel way more comfortable when u have to go down kerbs and do urband riding, since I do not really race or go fast I rather safe/comfortable than speed/reponsive.

Basically 28c tube is a thicker and heavier tube as long as its 700c it might work tho.

Anyways just get new tubes, and only $10 which will potentially save you from alot of trouble and hassle.

beerfilter

Um, I ride 23s after having ridden 28s. It's harder and less safe? I didn't notice.

bf

bike manhattan

i got my bike used and the guy had it set up with a 25 in the front and 28 in the rear. i like it.

operator

If you suck at riding they will do it.

MIN 

I use 19-23 x 700c tubes for all sizes including 34c cross tires. it's butyl, it expands.

azukisingle

exactomento freaks.

Adam G.

I just want to go small, I just want to have that more slick feeling of riding. I ride now and hit grates here and there and some rough terrain on the road and wonder damn that would of been interesting if I had a smaller tire, and how my bike would of handle that situation. But it's not the bike it's the rider. Anyways I just want to go smaller, if I want to ride on big wheels I will take my mountain bike on the road.

chore4n

Less safe as in any crack that's bigger than you're 23 tire could bring you down.

28 is such a signifiicant difference, but more rolling, aka you might go "slower."

lwkwafi

Of course you will notice a difference with the size, or at least i did when i changed by San Jose's tire from 30/32 down to my 25 gatorskins. But is used performance tubes that are said to go with 26c with my 30/32 tires, and they work just fine.
So you should be fine, but check what the tubes say just for reference.

sunburst

I had a problem going the other way. I installed a 28 tire using my 19-25 tube. The mechanic at Perf told me to replace the tube. I asked a salesguy and he said the smaller tube would blow. Damned if they weren't right - the tube died after a couple of days. Had to buy the 28-32 tube at full price!

Btw, I've been replacing all the 23s I've got on my road bikes with 28s or 32s. Even my expensive new carbon bike came with 25s. Just don't understand why anyone would want 23s unless they were racing them.

Another thing to consider - what is the real width of your 28s? My 28 Gatorskin and 25 Gatorskin measures the same with calipers, right around 25mm. In fact, my 28 Gatorskin is narrower than my 25mm Pro Race 2's, which measure 26-27mm.

MIN 

in general, I think it's a bad idea. 28c is a sweet spot which allows to to go offroad and take curbs without worrying. 23c doesn't offer much traction and more prone to pinchflats.

Gyeswho

I've gone by for a while on 23s but once I switched to bigger tires I don't see the reason for going so small again. I changed back to 23s for a day and noticed the whole ride. If you want to go faster, pedal harder. A lot of people are disillusioned by the whole, a smaller tire will make me go faster...NONSENSE!!! It's the rider who controls that, plus you'll get stronger with a larger tire anyway.

iwegian

i don't get why people say 23's cant go as many places as 28's. assuming they're both slick, it'd come down to tire pressure, and not so much the small difference in size where you can take the bike. fwiw, i have 23's that i take through grass, up/down curbs and they do fine

onetwentyeight 

all other things being equal, the bigger tire is faster anyway. the whole skinny tire = faster only is true on steel drums and on velodromes, not where the road surface is less than perfect.

operator

Oh please. Keep harping that.

If that were the case all the roadies would be riding 30" wide tires instead of the 23c/20c that they all do.

buzzybelmondo

30 inch wide tires won't fit my frame, or my car for that matter