The dominance of the narrow racing tire on bikes is over
10-13-22, 07:33 AM
#76
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Originally Posted by Fredo76
Tight clearances on racing bikes were already becoming a fad in the late '70s. I say fad, because the disadvantages outweigh the non-existent advantages, really, except maybe for looking cool in the eyes of one's peer group. That fad marked the beginning of the fetishization of the sport, along with Cinelli hiding the handlebar clamp bolt...
10-13-22, 07:39 PM
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Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
Don't underestimate the appeal of looking cool in the eyes one's peer group. Any perusal of threads and posts on BF, including and especially the 50 Plus list, demonstrates the power of trendy fads and "looking cool" in making bicycling equipment choices for some bicycling enthusiasts. The 50 Plus list demonstrates that the hold of old fads and what was considered "cool" in the past is a sticky if not permanent concept for some old timers.
10-13-22, 07:47 PM
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Given that everyone can ride on whatever tire they choose, why do people argue about this? Why do people feel the need to prove that their choice is superior?
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10-14-22, 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by jon c.
Given that everyone can ride on whatever tire they choose, why do people argue about this? Why do people feel the need to prove that their choice is superior?
10-14-22, 11:35 PM
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Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
Don't underestimate the appeal of looking cool in the eyes one's peer group. Any perusal of threads and posts on BF, including and especially the 50 Plus list, demonstrates the power of trendy fads and "looking cool" in making bicycling equipment choices for some bicycling enthusiasts. The 50 Plus list demonstrates that the hold of old fads and what was considered "cool" in the past is a sticky if not permanent concept for some old timers.
After buying some NOS sew-up wheels because they are almost as cool as stem shifters, I got a NOS 14-22 Regina Oro freewheel to go on them, just to look cool, I confess!
My 14-28 wasn't small enough, in the looks department.
NOS wheels w/ 30mm sew-ups
Last edited by Fredo76; 10-15-22 at 12:49 AM.
10-15-22, 05:06 AM
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Originally Posted by scottfsmith
For a recreational cyclist, 23mm is and always has been a non-optimal tire ... the grip in turns is nowhere near as good.
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10-15-22, 07:24 AM
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Originally Posted by jon c.
Given that everyone can ride on whatever tire they choose, why do people argue about this? Why do people feel the need to prove that their choice is superior?
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10-15-22, 10:40 PM
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Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
The 50 Plus list demonstrates that the hold of old fads and what was considered "cool" in the past is a sticky if not permanent concept for some old timers.
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10-16-22, 01:38 PM
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Originally Posted by DiabloScott
QFT. These feelings run deep. The other night I had a DREAM, in which I was getting a bike fit and the fitter was trying different saddles on for me and she put on one that I found amazingly comfortable and told her so... and then I got off and looked at it and it was some bigass tractor-sized hyper-padded atrocity and thought there was NO WAY I would ever buy such a ridiculous saddle.
As for the theme of the thread, I used 23s for everything for 30+ years. One of my bikes I rode for 11 years wouldn't fit a 25. I tried to put 28s on my current bike a few years ago and there isn't enough clearance for me so when I switched from 23s I went with 25s. For the riding I've been doing the last 3 years they're fine.
10-16-22, 04:52 PM
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Originally Posted by DiabloScott
QFT. The other night I had a DREAM, in which I was getting a bike fit and the fitter was trying different saddles on for me and she put on one that I found amazingly comfortable and told her so... and then I got off and looked at it and it was some bigass tractor-sized hyper-padded atrocity and thought there was NO WAY I would ever buy such a ridiculous saddle.
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10-16-22, 06:46 PM
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Well if Geraint Thomas is riding on 28mm wide tyres (as he mentioned in his latest podcast) then I'm guessing they are faster than narrower tyres.
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10-16-22, 07:29 PM
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I don't care what type of tires the pros ride...I make my own decisions as to what type of tires I use
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10-21-22, 04:28 AM
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Originally Posted by terrymorse
Why don't "the rest of us" need narrow tires like the pros race on? Some of the rest of us like to ride fast, and a 25mm tire is fast. If they weren't fast, pros would use something else.
Anyone who is not racing and doing a 2 hour ride (duration) will also let out some air from the tires.
10-21-22, 07:13 AM
#89
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A lot of talk here about tire width, but what about height?
On my bike-Lynskey R230 rim brake, there is plenty of clearance laterally, but minimal between the top of the tire and underside of the fork. I have had to stop a few times to clear leave, pebbles, etc. Conti 23's are the biggest that fit.
I am looking for new (carbon) wheels and am hoping that wider rims will reduce the "lightbulb effect" and allow me to run bigger tires.
I am hoping to get 59.5 miles of comfort and am willing to concede the 2 city limits sign sprints.
On my bike-Lynskey R230 rim brake, there is plenty of clearance laterally, but minimal between the top of the tire and underside of the fork. I have had to stop a few times to clear leave, pebbles, etc. Conti 23's are the biggest that fit.
I am looking for new (carbon) wheels and am hoping that wider rims will reduce the "lightbulb effect" and allow me to run bigger tires.
I am hoping to get 59.5 miles of comfort and am willing to concede the 2 city limits sign sprints.
10-21-22, 09:19 AM
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Originally Posted by bblair
A lot of talk here about tire width, but what about height?
On my bike-Lynskey R230 rim brake, there is plenty of clearance laterally, but minimal between the top of the tire and underside of the fork. I have had to stop a few times to clear leave, pebbles, etc. Conti 23's are the biggest that fit.
I am looking for new (carbon) wheels and am hoping that wider rims will reduce the "lightbulb effect" and allow me to run bigger tires.
I am hoping to get 59.5 miles of comfort and am willing to concede the 2 city limits sign sprints.
On my bike-Lynskey R230 rim brake, there is plenty of clearance laterally, but minimal between the top of the tire and underside of the fork. I have had to stop a few times to clear leave, pebbles, etc. Conti 23's are the biggest that fit.
I am looking for new (carbon) wheels and am hoping that wider rims will reduce the "lightbulb effect" and allow me to run bigger tires.
I am hoping to get 59.5 miles of comfort and am willing to concede the 2 city limits sign sprints.
10-21-22, 09:37 AM
#91
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Originally Posted by bblair
A lot of talk here about tire width, but what about height?
On my bike-Lynskey R230 rim brake, there is plenty of clearance laterally, but minimal between the top of the tire and underside of the fork. I have had to stop a few times to clear leave, pebbles, etc. Conti 23's are the biggest that fit.
I am looking for new (carbon) wheels and am hoping that wider rims will reduce the "lightbulb effect" and allow me to run bigger tires.
I am hoping to get 59.5 miles of comfort and am willing to concede the 2 city limits sign sprints.
On my bike-Lynskey R230 rim brake, there is plenty of clearance laterally, but minimal between the top of the tire and underside of the fork. I have had to stop a few times to clear leave, pebbles, etc. Conti 23's are the biggest that fit.
I am looking for new (carbon) wheels and am hoping that wider rims will reduce the "lightbulb effect" and allow me to run bigger tires.
I am hoping to get 59.5 miles of comfort and am willing to concede the 2 city limits sign sprints.
I, too, assumed that a wider rim would make the tire wider but not taller.
This old diagram from HED shows the same tires getting wider and usually a little taller on wider rims. Trace the different colors for the 23mm and compare.
~~~
Continental tires used to be bigger than their nominal sizes -- a 25mm was close to 27mm wide. I think they are more true to size now.
Last edited by rm -rf; 10-21-22 at 09:41 AM.
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10-22-22, 07:06 AM
#92
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Originally Posted by rm -rf
I, too, assumed that a wider rim would make the tire wider but not taller.
This old diagram from HED shows the same tires getting wider and usually a little taller on wider rims. Trace the different colors for the 23mm and compare.
~~~
Continental tires used to be bigger than their nominal sizes -- a 25mm was close to 27mm wide. I think they are more true to size now.
This old diagram from HED shows the same tires getting wider and usually a little taller on wider rims. Trace the different colors for the 23mm and compare.
~~~
Continental tires used to be bigger than their nominal sizes -- a 25mm was close to 27mm wide. I think they are more true to size now.
So, from this diagram, I should look for a narrower rim?
