danielwow12

Hello!

I'm a 6'4" rider at around 220 lbs (and falling!). I bought a used 2013 trek 1.2 from my lbs (guy returned it to upgrade, he really enjoyed riding!) and I've been loving it. I read that for my weight the stock 23c tires that came with it are not an ideal way to ride, but instead to look into 25c or 28c.

My problem is I havent had any pinch flats (fingers crossed) and really no problems to speak of. I also am not sure that, if I do need to move up a tire size, that the new larger size will fit my wheels/frame without rubbing or causing other issues.

Thanks for the help!

Beachgrad05

Those tires are fine. Use them til they wear out. When that happens you could try 25's for a smoother ride but 23's are fine at your weight....just be sure to inflate them properly pre-ride EVERY ride.

JohnJ80

I weigh more than you and I've ridden 23c's for years and years. Now I'm on tubulars but I've done clinchers too. I will say this - I get about 1/6 to 1/8th the flats with my tubulars that I did with the clinchers but I don't think weight had anything to do with it (few pinch flats). That said, I have always pumped my clinchers up before every ride. I don't have to do that with my tubulars (Tufos), they seem to hold the air better. But I have learned the interval that they need for checking.

Your bike will almost certainly take 25's. You may like the ride better and find it a lot more comfortable anyhow.

j.

Bill Kapaun

With your weight, you have to make sure the tires are topped off at a relatively high pressure to prevent pinch flats.
This means you're going to have a "hard" tire, which can transmit "road buzz" to a greater degree.
So, a lot depends on the "texture" of your pavement and comfort level.
I'm about 230 and tried a 23mm on the front of my hybrid.
It was just too harsh for my liking.

JerrySTL

I'm in the 210-220 lb range. We have rough chip and tar roads around here so I went to 700x25 tires a few years ago. I set my best time for a double century on 25s in great part because I wasn't getting beat up so badly.

With 23s I had to run 120 psi to avoid pinch flats. With 25s I can go as low as 90 psi, but usually run 100 psi. Haven't had a pinch flat yet.

As others have said, don't bother changing the 23s until they are worn out. Then go to the 25s. I love Continental Grand Prix 4000S's Black Chili version. Continental Gatorskins are my second choice.

BTW: 28s may not fit on that frame.

Zoxe

Others are chiming in, but I'll join the pile.

At your weight, the 23s are fine. You may choose later to go up to 25s for comfort. Personally, I have 1 bike with 23s for "race" and one with 25s for "tour" and to ride in the off season before the roads get washed clean of all the winter crud.

FrenchFit 

+1. I ride one bike with 21c and it's a very lively ride - call it an acquired taste. 25c is a good compromise of mass and comfort. 28c? they tend to be sluggish and don't add much more plushness than a good 25c.

squatchy

You will very much like the ride quality of the 25's over the 23's. I gurantee you will not ride any slower regardless of what you might read here. They have lower rolling resistance, corner better , give you better sense of being connected to the road, will absorb much more "road buzz". Even better if your rim width is 23-24. I swithced to Conti 4 seasons this year and like them even better than the Grand Prix