Originally Posted by
HTupolev
On pavement, a tire being narrow usually isn't much of an issue for grip. But, by using lower pressures, a wide tire can be a bit more consistent: it's less prone to small surface variations because it distributes its contact across a wider area, and in rougher spots it's less prone to chattering.
The compound of the tire significantly affects paved grip. Most good racing tires are pretty grippy, as are all-weather tires such as the Continental Grand Prix 4 Season.
Thanks for the info & insight into tires. This is actually the most I’ve learned about them since I’ve staryed cycling & I just didn’t think about them other than observing them for wear & inflating them to what seems comfortable for me. I keep the front tire a little lower than the rear after reading that this will absorb some of the shock & jarring while riding. My tires are Vittoria Zaffiro 700X25c. I had wide tires on my first bike which was a cheap hybrid I got for my son from Walmart. I like that the more narrow tires seem to me to be more responsive regarding handling.