Originally Posted by
jsigone
most road frames should accommodate up to 28C tires w/o a problem. Those with the aero design are more limited to tire width/circumference so say that of a Cervelo S5 is limited to a 23C tire.
Originally Posted by
10 Wheels
Most road bikes Will NOT take a 700 X 28 tire.
Some will not take a 700 X 25 tire.
Gross generalizations are always wrong:-)
Originally Posted by
sstorkel
Many road frames will accommodate 28mm tires, but many won't. Even if the frame has the clearance for a 28mm tire, it's often difficult or impossible to squeeze a 28mm tire between the brake pads while fully inflated. These limitations don't apply just to "aero" bikes, BTW. My completely non-aero Cervelo RS can't fit anything larger than 700x25 into the front fork. Depending on the tire brand, some 25s won't even fit!
Like sstorkel, I have more than one road bike in the garage. One will accommodate tires in excess of 28mm without issue. One can just fit 28mm tires. And, the third can't fit anything larger than a 25mm in the front but doesn't have any issue with a 28mm in the rear.
Keep in mind that not all 25mm or 28mm tires are exactly that measure. There is a reasonable amount of variation from the stated size. Michelin tires are known to run large. Continental tires are known to run true to size to slightly under sized. A 28mm Continental may fit where a 25mm Michelin will not. And, rim width will play a role in the corresponding profile of any given tire.