Originally Posted by dabac

+1

But it's not only rim width to be concerned with. With thinner tires you need to be really good at bunnyhopping curbs, potholes and whatnot and/or run the pressure at the high side if you want to avoid pinch flats. 1.1" on a bike with panniers was pretty sketchy. Not for the weight as such, but b/c you can't just make a bike like that go light enough to bounce over curbs.