georgiaboy

The Bicycle: 2004 Bianchi Vigorelli - 631 steel - full integra

Used for commuting.

Wheels: Mavic Ksyrium Equipe wheelset

Present Tires: Vittoria Rubino Tech, 700x23C

Possible new tire: Panaracer T-serve 700x28c

I am considering moving from a 23c tire to a 28c size. The purpose of this thread to go get some more information from you fine people on BF'S. What do I gain from moving to a larger tire? What would I lose? Is there really any significant reason to change? How would the speed and handling be affected?


Thanks,

Nachoman

Try it and see how you like it. But look at my last post in this section asking do I need a new tire regarding my Vittoria Rubinos.

georgiaboy

Thanks for the headup.

mechBgon

If the tires are bigger in real life, they'd have more resistance to pinch-flats at a given inflation pressure, because the air volume is higher. Preventing pinch flats basically means preventing rim dents too.

Here's a good buy on some lightweight folding 700 x 28's: https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename= I got some of these, they're the German-made stuff. I still managed to get a pinch-flat the other day, by barrelling through some road-construction work at roughly 400 watts and hitting a pothole too hard. BUT, up until that happened, I was smokin' that red Subaru wagon BIG-TIME.

georgiaboy

Thanks for the suggestion mechBgon. Apparently, the new tires are treating you well as witnessed by that Subaru. The sale price doesn't hurt either.

shokhead

We should be askiong you these question,strange. And i'll ask one,why from a 23 to a 28? What happened to a 25?

Peek the Geek

The difference between a 23 and a 25 probably wouldn't be noticeable enough to make switching worthwhile. I'd go with the 28.

kf5nd

I commute on 700x28 in front, for more stability concerning cracks, seams, road imperfections...

700x25 in the rear, for very slightly less rolling resistance

Works great!

shokhead

Commuting and your not in a hurry,28's i guess but i'd try to get happy with 25's.

Sporkinum

I run 28's all the time and love em. They really don't seem noticably slower to me even though they only run between 80 and 90 psi. Definitely smoother riding, and to me, better handling.

georgiaboy

I will continue with the 23c till fall time. And keep buy new tires then, not sure what size right now...

shokhead

23's to 28's must be another pound of weight.

stapfam

One of the problems may be- Can you still get a wheel in and out without dismantling the brakes? I know you can deflate the tyre to get it out but that does seem to be a lot of effort for a little bit of comfort that will be gained from the larger tyre.

mechBgon

Some 28's aren't very heavy. Nashbar has Continental Ultra2000 folding 28's that list at just 240 grams each, which is only about one ounce more per tire Conti's all-out 700x23 racing tires. Not a bad compromise for a daily-driver performance tire.

These are the German-made Contis, too, not the cheap bastage Contis from Thailand/wherever. $25 each, and if I'd been listening to The Voices I would've ordered them back when they were $20 each

georgiaboy

As they say "good looking out."

I have Ultegra brakes. There is a lever that allows me to open and close the brakes for tire removal. I have checked the spacing on the front and back and pretty sure the 28's will fit.

shokhead

Then at that weight and price,not bad if your going with 28's.

Kabloink

The good:

Smoother ride (assuming you use a lower pressure)
Greater weight carrying capacity at any pressure compared to 23
Better handling over rough surfaces
Less flats(in my personal experience)
Easier to do track stands

The bad:

Slightly slower
Smaller selection of tires
Some local LBS don't always carry the 700x28 tube size
May not fit in some frames

Sporkinum

The quick release on the brakes does just fine. Fully inflated or not. As far as weight? I'm not racing. I rode this bike across the US with this size tire, and only had one flat the whole time.

chromedome

If you changed from a 23 to a 28 right now, all you would lose is money. Wait till your current tires are worn out then get new 28's. See how you like them. If you dont, go back to the original size, when you need them.

If a burgler broke into your house in the middle of the night, took off your old tires and replaced them with the new size (of the same brand and style) you'd never notice they were different.

You're not getting married to them, just riding back and forth to work.

ZachS

28's have no downsides whatsoever for commuting.

shokhead

I dont race but i dont look for heavier parts for my bike either.

shokhead

Not really but it is a bigger tire and tube to be pushing day in and day out.

ZachS

so you'll be a few % slower, and get a few % stronger. unless you have a 50 mile commute, it doesn't really matter.

mechBgon

In the case I mentioned, I'd expect the extra ounce of rubber on a 700x28 Ultra2000 to get me 50-80% longer wear life compared to a 700x23 Grand Prix 4000. And they cost half as much, $50 per set instead of $120+ per set. Something to think about Don't get me wrong, I like high-end tires as much as the next guy, but I'm not making piles of money.

Regarding tubes, I'm using ultralight 700x18-25 butyl tubes in my 28's, this works just fine. If I order from Performance I think I'll grab some of their LunarLight 49-gram ones.

shokhead

Fine for commuting but i wouldnt use them for riding but i have thought about 25's for a second. Lite tubes scare me abit.