I think the 25's look good on the rims. I went for a quick ride after work today on my Surly LHT and towards the end a guy in a 4x4 ran me off the road. So you never know as one minute your on the asphalt and the next your doing the cyclo cross thing. I have 700x28's on my Surly so riding in the gravel and dirt was not really a problem and I was not really in danger of falling.. I am not much worried about speed being 65y/o and all so 25's and the extra bit of weight will make no difference to me.. The roads around here are in poor repair so a bit more tire helps to soften up the rough roads. Once I get the lightouse I am going to give the Surly to my youngest son. He is a college student and wants a commuter transportation bike and the Surly will do him just right. It will probably fit him a bit better then it does me as it is just a bit to large for me and he is taller than I am. The Lighthouse is a fitted frame and will fit like a glove.