OK, my story is this. I'm on a Trek 7.5 and do a 10km very hilly commute. I'm no speed merchant and travel slowly.

My Bontrager RaceLite HArdcase tyres were 28 wide, when they wore out I changed to Gator Hardshell 25's thinking that thinner would mean less effort to pedal. They are thinner and lighter.

However......they definitely seemed to take more effort and I was using higher gears for my journey.

I've done a lot of reading and it now seems that thinner tyres do not have less rolling resistance, just are more aerodynamic.

As a test I changed back to an old Bontrager Hardcase in a 32 from my shed and it actually felt less of a pedalling effort.

My questions are:

Is it true that for a slow, hilly ride, where all I am worried about is using the minimum effort (not speed) and all else being equal, a wider tyre would be less effort?

Is it likely that there is something in the character of the Gator which doesn't suit me?

Any other comments about a best tire width/type for someone who cares about minimising effort, not speed?

Or am I going mad??