Originally Posted by Daily Commute
As I explained in
this thread, I when my 28's recently started to wear thin, I pulled out the nearly-new 32's (an
Urban Max and a
Soma New Xpress) I had in my basement. I had taken them off because they felt to sluggish.
To compensate for the wider tires, I switched from a 52 to a 48-tooth chain ring. Perfect! I can pedal quickly, maintain a decent speed, and go over bumpier parts of the road.
Tire width is all about trade-offs. You have to find the balance of speed and comfort that works for you.
I don't disagree with your logic, but it's also about rolling resistance. The Ritchie Tom Slicks 700x30 I had were rated 80psi max. The Conti UltraGators I now have 700x28 are 120psi and I do prefer the slightly narrower tire in my SKS P35 fenders.