I just rode on 700x23 tires for the first time in a dozen years, and it was not what I expected.
I recently bought a lightweight road bike, an aluminum/carbon Felt F65 (2002-2006), to eventually replace my 1984 Nishiki International. The Nishiki is pretty banged and bodged up. Although I have three dedicated commuters with fenders and racks (2015 Charge Plug, 1997 Nishiki Blazer & 2007 Dahon Boardwalk) I still like to take a road bike to work for variety. The old Nishiki was okay for parking in an unused room like I did at my old job. But at the new job, the only indoor parking is in my office, in plain sight behind my desk. When I started I upgraded the space from its casual dorm-room/cave motif, and although the Felt is almost 20 years old, it is at least of this century and is office presentable as are the Charge and the Dahon.
When I acquired the Nishiki in 2009 it wore 700x23 tires which I kept at 100psi. The ride was jarring and harsh in one way, but supple in another thanks to the very flexible thin steel frame, especially the seat and chain stays. But eventually I switched to the biggest tires that would fit...28s which really softened the ride.
The Felt F65 wouldn't accept the 28s, but that's okay because the fork, seat post and seat-stay are carbon fiber. The frame is aluminum (except for the seat stay). But the carbon really soaks up the sharp hits and road chatter in a way I didn't expect. and when I first rode it, I knew it wouldn't beat me up. I also am running the tires at 90 psi for now. And it came with a non-OEM slightly padded seat with a cutout which makes my 60-year-old butt happy.
Yesterday I rode it to the office for the first time. I don't have a speedometer yet ,so while it felt much faster that may just be the road chatter of the 23s talking. I didn't have lights on it yet, but I have lights on my helmet. I also won't be putting a mirror on it, as I have a glasses mounted mirror. I also didn't have the bottle holders on yet. But I did mount an AirZound airhorn which came in handy a couple of times in traffic.
As with the rackless Nishiki International, I wore my backpack to the office. I can't wait till the weekend when I can go for an extended ride without my commute bag.
Thanks for letting me share...my wife is tired of hearing about it.
