Commuters with roadbikes, what tire size you use?
#51
Arizona Dessert
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: AZ
Posts: 15,030
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5345 Post(s)
Liked 2,169 Times
in
1,288 Posts
Over course of 6yrs. started w/28, then moved to 25 a bit later, then in the last year 23.
#53
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Posts: 15
Bikes: Treh 850, Bianchi Veloce, Cannondale silkroad 1000, k9 zed 3.0
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I use 700x25 maxxis detonator tires. I used 700x23 conti gp4000 tires but the maxxis are more comfortable. I ride only on paved streets, but they are in a pretty bad shape.
#54
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Champaign, IL
Posts: 56
Bikes: 2010 Davinci JointVenture, 1994 Specialized Epic Comp, 2007 Steelhead custom road bike, Surly CrossCheck, 1999 Kona MuniMula MtB, Wife:Civia commuter, Steelhead custom road, 1993 Marin Mtb Extracycle , Kids:Trek tag-along, Jet20, Trek830
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm 90kg and put a premium on comfort over long distances.
Fancy custom steel road bike: 28mm conti 4seasons, regularly used for 100km + rides on country roads
Heavy, IGH, Surly CrossCheck commuter: 37mm conti country ride, used for 8km urban commute.
Fancy custom steel road bike: 28mm conti 4seasons, regularly used for 100km + rides on country roads
Heavy, IGH, Surly CrossCheck commuter: 37mm conti country ride, used for 8km urban commute.
#55
Bromptoneer
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 2,942
Bikes: Brompton S2L
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Never understood the bigger tires for commutes thing.... I'm sure greater than 23 is a "more comfortable" ride, but honestly, I don't find 23s uncomfortable, at all, especially for a 20 mile commute, but really, not even for a 100 mile ride.
Last edited by Tsuru; 01-08-10 at 01:43 PM. Reason: unedited... actually had it right after all... lol.
#56
Senior Member
I am running 700C x 25 at the moment. Still thinking about changing that into 700C x 23. Though, every time it rains I remember why I don't want to go narrower.
#57
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,495
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7341 Post(s)
Liked 2,440 Times
in
1,424 Posts
Whoa, who ever said skinny tires are comfortable? I don't think I heard anyone say it.
FreddyV, 23mm tires will either feel the same as 25's or worse.
FreddyV, 23mm tires will either feel the same as 25's or worse.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#58
Senior Member
700x35, works great for me. I ride 18 miles one way on a mix of roads, dirt paths and 2 MUP's. Right now the winter road bike has Nokian 106's, 700x35. They work great on everything except deeper snow.
#59
Bromptoneer
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 2,942
Bikes: Brompton S2L
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#60
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,495
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7341 Post(s)
Liked 2,440 Times
in
1,424 Posts
More comfortable than wide tires? To me, the wider, the more comfortable, but I'm not willing to give up too much performance for comfort. As I said recently, my favorite width is 28mm, which is narrower than most bikes on the planet. Joe Average finds them to be squirrelly and bumpy, but they're fine to me.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#61
Senior Member
My long distance tourer.. 35.. My tourer I use for local rides and errands.. 28...
__________________
Pray for the Dead and Fight like Hell for the Living
^ Since January 1, 2012
Pray for the Dead and Fight like Hell for the Living
^ Since January 1, 2012
#62
Bromptoneer
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 2,942
Bikes: Brompton S2L
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I didn't say that... I said I'm sure greater-than-23s are more confortable, but I find 23s quite comfortable for commutes to long rides to centuries. I get it for genuine long-distance riding, but a 20 commute? Or even a good long weekend ride for 3 or 4 hours?
Puncture-resistant tires, knobbies, studs, etc, for a sh*tty route? Sure... but wide slicks just to get a little "cushier"?
Do you lose any performance with 25s or 28s?
Puncture-resistant tires, knobbies, studs, etc, for a sh*tty route? Sure... but wide slicks just to get a little "cushier"?
Do you lose any performance with 25s or 28s?
#63
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Comfortable tyres... and pretty damn fast too.
I'm rocking my winter gearing here...
I'm rocking my winter gearing here...
#64
Pro Paper Plane Pilot
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,645
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Hello,
to give you an idea of the surface that my commute has to go through...
about 1.5km
Someone actually did an image tour of the Central Valley Greenway that I use for my commute.
Basically my commute starts about 2/3 down from the picture album and continues on into town.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/thebuzz...7619485886299/
But from what I read above, I think I may be OK with 28s. 32 would be perfect, but there are large section of paved area and not sure how much speed I would lose with that size. May be negligible.
to give you an idea of the surface that my commute has to go through...
about 1.5km
Someone actually did an image tour of the Central Valley Greenway that I use for my commute.
Basically my commute starts about 2/3 down from the picture album and continues on into town.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/thebuzz...7619485886299/
But from what I read above, I think I may be OK with 28s. 32 would be perfect, but there are large section of paved area and not sure how much speed I would lose with that size. May be negligible.
#65
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: PNW - Victoria, BC
Posts: 1,486
Bikes: 2002 Litespeed Vortex - 2007 Trek Madone 5.9 - 2004 Redline Conquest Pro - Specialized S-Works Festina Team Model - 93 Cannondale M 800 Beast of the East
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Just wondering for those who commute on roadbikes, what width tires do you use?
Part of my commute include crush gravel. I am looking to switch out my 700cX23 for something wider. But not sure to go with 28 or 32(if it fits). The rims are Alex DC19s.
Or would I be better off to use my hybridized hardtail mtb since there is some unpaved sections?
thanks.
Part of my commute include crush gravel. I am looking to switch out my 700cX23 for something wider. But not sure to go with 28 or 32(if it fits). The rims are Alex DC19s.
Or would I be better off to use my hybridized hardtail mtb since there is some unpaved sections?
thanks.
I wider tire will definitely be more comfortable, but will be a bit slower (more weight, more wind resistance, lower psi rating). As for unpaved sections, it really depends on the surface. Last year, my commute had me on several unpaved sections on a MUP. The trail was mostly very hard packed dirt/gravel and I had no issues with a 700x23 tire. There were a few spots that got a little soft, and these sections were a bit more problematic but were very short, so no big deal. If the soft sections had been more extensive, I probably would have opted for wider tires, or avoided the trail for the softer sections.
#66
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: PNW - Victoria, BC
Posts: 1,486
Bikes: 2002 Litespeed Vortex - 2007 Trek Madone 5.9 - 2004 Redline Conquest Pro - Specialized S-Works Festina Team Model - 93 Cannondale M 800 Beast of the East
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Your rim width will be one determinant, the other will be the fork and chainstay clearance.
#67
bored of "Senior Member"
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: MD / metro DC
Posts: 2,883
Bikes: Cross-Check/Nexus commuter. Several others for various forms of play.
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 642 Post(s)
Liked 592 Times
in
453 Posts
I run 700x23 on my proper pavement-only road bike, and 700x35 Schwalbe Marathons on my cross bike (Salsa Delgado rims). The x35s run really nicely on all manner or rail trail, dirt pack, gravel, etc. Short of going onto legit single track, I wouldn't think of needing more.
I perseverated a bit on deciding between x28, x32, and x35. I read a bit before I committed plus my test drives here and there suggest that you CAN overthink it. I wouldn't dwell on the 32 vs. 35 if you either want to go big & plush, or are concerned about clearance and would to stay small. There's a slight drag/weight/plush thing but unless you have a micrometer I doubt you'll notice one step either way. 28 vs. 35 probably worth a decision and a commitment to one program or another.
If you are doubting your 23s, I suggest a bold correction.
I perseverated a bit on deciding between x28, x32, and x35. I read a bit before I committed plus my test drives here and there suggest that you CAN overthink it. I wouldn't dwell on the 32 vs. 35 if you either want to go big & plush, or are concerned about clearance and would to stay small. There's a slight drag/weight/plush thing but unless you have a micrometer I doubt you'll notice one step either way. 28 vs. 35 probably worth a decision and a commitment to one program or another.
If you are doubting your 23s, I suggest a bold correction.
#68
Iconoclast
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: California
Posts: 3,176
Bikes: Colnago Super, Fuji Opus III, Specialized Rockhopper, Specialized Sirrus (road)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I use 23c tires @ 120psi on my commuter bike and have no qualms about riding all weather/all terrain and single track. I don't really see any reason why I would need larger than a 25c slick tire. I might try some 28s sometime and see what all the fuss is about, but I don't see why anyone would use larger than a 25c for anything other than serious trailblazing or laden touring. It's just not that rough of a ride if you're doing it right!
#69
Internal gears FTW!
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Posts: 203
Bikes: 1986 Raleigh Reliant, 2010 Schwinn Sporterra NX8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
32mm on my alex dc19 barely fit thought, figured 28 would be the better route next time. 32's help a lot in the winter though...
#70
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: East Bay, San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 68
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I prefer 25's but 28's are fine too. I ride on what ever brand I can afford at the time of purchase.
#71
VICTORY IS MINE!
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Ogden, UT
Posts: 239
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I just got some Michelin City 32c tires that work great for anything that comes. Just for kicks I rode with them in some fresh snow we had a week ago and they did better than I thought. Some woman at a bus stop yelled at me asking if I had a brain in my head as she takes another drag off of her cigarette.
#73
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 183
Bikes: Sputnik
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
25's are the largest i can get on my bike. I'd prefer 23's for the additional speed but 25's take a beating and are perfect for my commute.
#74
I need speed
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 5,550
Bikes: Giant Propel, Cervelo P2
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I weigh 220#, and am running 700x35 at 100 psi. If I let the pressure drop, I feel extra resistance. Of course the chain starts needing lube at the same time - every weekend - every other at the most.
Putting together a new bike now, and will go narrower and slicker: 28 or 25
Putting together a new bike now, and will go narrower and slicker: 28 or 25
#75
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 188
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
This has been a very helpful thread, since I've been wondering about what tire size I should upgrade to for my hybrid commuter. Since rumrunn6 and I have the same bike (and I'm assuming same rims), I think I'll go with 700C x 28mm for my next set of tires, unless I wait for the Schwalbe Marathon Supremes, which has a minimum size of 700C x 32mm. At this point, I ride only on suburban roads and occasional sidewalks.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Nicholas L
General Cycling Discussion
19
03-27-20 10:04 AM
tomazo
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational)
7
12-27-16 08:00 PM
Shinkers
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational)
19
06-09-16 08:58 PM