If we only knew BITD how right we were on our 27" x 1¼" tires (32mm wide). Even the sportier cyclists were only touting 27' x 1-1/8" tires (28mm wide). And maybe a rare 27" x 1". All on a rim that is only 8 mm larger in diameter than the 622 of a 700C rim. I've long missed my 27" tires that road so well compared to the 700C's of their day that were really narrow.
And why we popularized 700C as a name for a wheel size is really a big question, since in the French tire sizing the tire would be about 39mm wide to give you the required 700mm outside diameter height on a 622mm rim that the 700 represents.
Though back then the tire technology wasn't what it is today. So weight as well as aerodynamics of wheels back then may have made rough riding narrower tires better for the long haul distances saving more overall watts than their very short ride suggests.
All that said, I'm still on 25mm tires. Might go to 28mm when my last spare 25mm is used up.
Last edited by Iride01; 02-07-24 at 01:43 PM.