Originally Posted by
Ironfish653
Yes, there is a variation between brands and models at a given nominal size. The 700c is a nominal size these days, that applies to any tire that fits on a '622' ERTO-size rim, from 700x23mm race tires, to 700x45mm. Confusing things slightly are that '29er' MTB tires are also 622 rims, just that the '29-inch' designation applies to those tires that are 50mm+
As to your specific fitment, I had a bike with the same Kendas on it, and found that, at least to the eye, they looked tall and narrow; I eventually replaced them with Conti Ultra Sport II's that have a much rounder profile on the bike. I may have gained a little more clearance, but I never measured them.
700x28 hits right at the wide end of 'sport' tires, and the narrow end of urban / trekking type tires. It seem like the urban / trekking / commuting tires are a little more built-up under the treads than the sport / training tires. Also, added puncture-resistant layers may contribute to a slight increase in size over nominal, as well.
Yes that is my experience pretty much even to to the point that I have some continentals that have a more rounded profile thereby giving more clearance. Maybe that is why the Kenda's were so heavily discounted but I have an old Raleigh Pursuit bike from around 2010 and that road bike has amazing tyre clearance, you could put 29" mountain bike tyres on it. I must admit I never put tyre clearance of major importance on choosing a bicycle but now that I have one with restrictive tyre clearance its not ideal to say the least and will certainly make it of higher importance in the future. This is the Pursuit clearance and its about the same front and back and there is clearance to the frame too close to the bottom bracket and underside of downtube. It will take up to 700x50 tyres I would guess possibly more maybe 29x2.1".
