So what are the thinnest and highest pressure 700c tires available?
04-15-16, 08:41 PM
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So what are the thinnest and highest pressure 700c tires available?
I was curious just how thin you can go on 700c tires, and how high pressure. Didn't find much Googling the question so thought I'd ask the experts here. 
Editing to add: clinchers!
Editing to add: clinchers!
Last edited by exmechanic89; 04-15-16 at 09:23 PM.
04-15-16, 09:06 PM
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19mm tires are the skinniest I know of but I've never seen any in real life.
04-15-16, 09:24 PM
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I used to ride 700Cx18mm tires:
04-15-16, 10:17 PM
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18 are the thinnest I ever saw. As for higher pressure, some track tubulars use 150psi IIRC.
04-15-16, 10:49 PM
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What are you trying to accomplish by thin, high pressure tires?
04-15-16, 11:02 PM
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As far as current production is concerned, the Continental website lists a 700x20C Grand Prix 4000 S II: continental bicycle Grand Prix 4000 S II
04-16-16, 02:12 AM
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Twenty-five or so years ago there was a trend toward narrower and narrower clincher tires, but more people found out that they were not comfortable, and really no faster. High pressure tires transmitted more road vibrations which made some riders think they were faster, but they really weren't. Narrow tubulars are more comfortable than clinchers of a similar width.
Maybe in some place where the roads are billard table smooth, such as some rich enclave in Florida or California, these narrow tires are ok. But not where I live.
Maybe in some place where the roads are billard table smooth, such as some rich enclave in Florida or California, these narrow tires are ok. But not where I live.
04-16-16, 06:31 AM
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I know you specified clinchers, but there are some track tubulars I've seen that were good for 15atm max, which is, what, 225psig?.
04-16-16, 06:42 AM
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Back in the 80s continental made some 700 x 18 clincher. But as stated before they would beat you to death. Currently I have some continental competition tubulars on my triathlon racing wheels and I think they have a psi rating of 180, also they're 700 x 19. In my experience the narrower the front tire (in time trials) the better.
04-16-16, 08:24 AM
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I've got some narrow tubular rims wasting space in the basement. Must be 18mm-ish
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04-16-16, 09:50 AM
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Not the narrowest at 700C X 23 but really high pressure if you like feeling like you changed out pneumatic tires for solid rubber you can consider Schwalbe ZX tires which maxed out at 160 psi in the 406 size that came OEM on my 2013 Catrike 700 recumbent trike. Max pressure for the 700C is 165 psi. I dumped them as soon as I possibly could find replacements because I considered the thinness of the tire inappropriate for use in the desert where goatheads and tumbleweed abound. The reviews I read say they are fast but not very durable. Price is around $75 a tire. Reviewers either loved them or thought they were the worst tire on the planet. I'm not a fan of Schwalbe tires or tubes because they are priced way beyond what I can find other tires and tubes with better durability and similar riding characteristics for.
04-16-16, 03:58 PM
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I had a pair of 700c x 18 tires back in the 70s. Brutal!
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04-16-16, 08:36 PM
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Thanks for the responses so far.
Wow, some thin ones out there. To the poster that asked what I'm trying to accomplish, I'm just curious. I remember some Clements way back that were like 200psi, and just wondered if stuff like that existed anymore. That said I would love to try some of the 18mm clinchers, soomeone please post a link if they know of any. I didnt find much Googling.
Wow, some thin ones out there. To the poster that asked what I'm trying to accomplish, I'm just curious. I remember some Clements way back that were like 200psi, and just wondered if stuff like that existed anymore. That said I would love to try some of the 18mm clinchers, soomeone please post a link if they know of any. I didnt find much Googling.
04-16-16, 09:44 PM
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There is a track in Portland, although I'm not sure it has the smoothest of surfaces. 
Kenda actually makes a 200 PSI, 22mm Tubular.
Kenda Volare 700 x 22 Tubular Tire Black - Modern Bike
It looks like Continental has a 19mm Tubular rated at 220 psi.
Continental Podium Tire 700 x 19 Black Tubular - Modern Bike
Here are a few 20's (I think).
20 mm Bicycle Road Bike Tires 700x19-28 - Modern Bike
The Vittoria Open Corsa 20 is showing 145 psi. I don't see the pressure ratings on the other tires.
Kenda actually makes a 200 PSI, 22mm Tubular.
Kenda Volare 700 x 22 Tubular Tire Black - Modern Bike
It looks like Continental has a 19mm Tubular rated at 220 psi.
Continental Podium Tire 700 x 19 Black Tubular - Modern Bike
Here are a few 20's (I think).
20 mm Bicycle Road Bike Tires 700x19-28 - Modern Bike
The Vittoria Open Corsa 20 is showing 145 psi. I don't see the pressure ratings on the other tires.
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