Originally Posted by
Bianchi84
I don't know why many people want such wide tires. Is it because it's promoted so much? Everyone needs widev tires now. 23 to 25c is what I have and still used. Be honest; if back in 1985 someone told you to squeeze 35c tires onto your bike
what would you have said? Don't believe the hype! The more of us who purchase tires designed for our rims, the more likely they will be produced.
It has nothing to do with promotion or "hype". I use big tires (650x42b Panaracer/Pacenti Pari-Motos) because I've tried 'em and I like 'em. They're much more comfortable and sure-footed than narrow tires for someone my size (200+ lb at the moment). And most of the cycling-friendly roads around here are in sad shape: not just potholes, the land on which they sit is losing the battle with gravity and gradually falling into the water(ocean or river). Yeah, the 42's are probably almost measurably slower than 25's. So what? I have no trouble keeping up with the people I ride with.
And lest you think I'm an ill-informed newb, I'm almost 72 years old, have been riding non-stop since I was 8, raced USCF for roughly 15 years, Rando'ed for somewhere between 5 and 10 years, earned two Super Randonneur medals and rode the 2008 Rocky Mountain 1200k in (just) under 80 hours. In that time I've learned a few things.
SP
Newport OR
where the weather's been worryingly nice of late.