logic87

Hello so I bought a 2015 Fuji 1.5 Tread used and I noticed the fronts are the original tires (Vera CityWide, 700 x 32c, 30 tpi) and in the back are a replacement 700x35c commute tires.

I would like to turn this bike more of a road bike and was thinking of replacing both tires. I'm 207 pounds or so and I will be using this mainly on streets and some paved trails. Things is I can't find much information on the wheels (Vera Terra DPD18 rims 32h, alloy disc hubs, aero spokes) and I understand they are a house brand but was not sure if they were too wide to fit a 25c or 28c.

I was looking to try a slimmer fit wheel on a budget to see if I would like them. i was looking at these

Continental Ultra Sport II Road Tires at either 25c or 28c

or

Michelin Pro4 Road Tire at either 25c

I'm looking to buy on Nashbar since their prices are pretty good and I can pick up some other accessories.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

hokiefyd 

Have you used thinner tires before? If so, I say go for it. By the model name of the rim, I'm guessing it's either 18mm wide on the outside or 18mm wide on the inside. Either way, I wouldn't think this would be a problem for 25mm tires.

I put some thin (26x1.4 Michelin Protek) tires on my mountain bike and wasn't at all happy with the result. And 1.4" is 35mm. I bought a 2015 Trek Verve 3 last year and replaced its 35-622 tires with 42-622 tires -- about the largest that will fit in the rear frame with the fender mounting tab down between the chain stays. I once read a quote on BikeForums, though I don't know to whom to attribute it: "More air volume is good. Even more air volume is better." Or something like that. I subscribe to that, and found out through experience that I'm not a "thin tire" guy. I replaced those 26x1.4 Proteks with a set of 26x.1.75 Michelin Country Rocks, and I do enjoy those.

I would definitely buy on budget (or even look for a used tire set) if you're not sure if you'll like thinner tires. If you already know you do, then please kindly disregard all of the above (except the part where I believe your rims will probably work fine!).

therealjoeblow

At 207 lbs body weight, you will need very high pressures on 25mm tires. The ride will get very harsh and uncomfortable.

You didn't say what you are hoping to achieve with narrower tires (and therefore higher pressures), you just said you want slimmer tires...

I would suggest you read these articles that put some science behind the myths before thinking that you'll achieve anything meaningful or worthwhile with 25mm tires vs 35's...

https://janheine.wordpress.com/2010/...-and-pressure/

https://janheine.wordpress.com/2015/...re-revolution/

https://janheine.wordpress.com/2015/...a-and-details/

Essentially, with narrow tires and higher pressures, unless you are riding pristinely smooth pavements, you actually become less efficient as all of the pavement imperfections transfer the vibrations and bumps into you body which has to absorb the energy, which slows you down versus if you used wider tires at lower pressure, which are way more efficient at absorbing the energy.

I run Continental SpeedRides which are marked 42mm but actually measure 38 inflated to 50/60 psi. Personally I can't imagine going to 25's at 120 psi, I don't find the SpeedRides are slowing me down at all, they roll plenty fast and efficient on pavement for me. but still add a nice bit of shock absorption.

Cheers
TRJB

logic87

I'm hoping to pick up some speed and/or acceleration but I have been reading different comments and the articles you posted and it appears that it may not be as simple as putting on new slimmer tires.

Maybe I should stick with 32mm if the difference will not be so great between 32 and say 25 or 28?

ColonelSanders

Tyre compound plays an even bigger part in performance than the width of the tyre.


If you are happy on 32mm tyres, you could try 28mm and see how you go, but get a better grade of tyre, due to the tyre compound being of better/higher quality.


25mm might be a bit of a shock to you, comfort wise.

hokiefyd 

If you are looking for speed, I'd find some light weight slicks, probably in the stock 32mm size. I own and love the Conti SpeedRIDE tires, but I will say that they have a good 1-2mm of tread "squares" (it's a diamond-file type tread pattern), and you can certainly hear and feel these tread squares squirm under acceleration at lower speeds. These tires are great for mixed-terrain, and they are relatively light, but you may be happier on a true slick if speed is your priority.

One suggestion might be Clement's LGG Strada tire. Clement is a brand I'd love to try, though I just haven't yet. It's available in various sizes (including 28mm and 32mm), is a true slick, and weighs only 335 grams at the most (probably the 32mm model). A tire that's slightly larger is the Strada USH, in 35mm size. Clement claim 341 grams, so nearly identical in weight.

Strada LGG Road | Clement Cycling, Cyclocross Tires, Adventure Tires, Mountain Bike Tires, Road Bike Tires

Strada USH | Clement Cycling, Cyclocross Tires, Adventure Tires, Mountain Bike Tires, Road Bike Tires

I think either of these tires will provide a very nice balance between keeping the ride reasonable and enabling you to see your speed potential on the bike.

therealjoeblow

Yes, good comments from @ColonelSanders and @hokiefyd.

There is some additional discussion along the same lines as you are asking on this ****** thread:

https://www.******.com/r/bicycling/c...2c_tire_bonus/

(You need to make sure you expand all and "load more" of the 27 comments to read them).

There are some 32mm Compass tire recommendations (wider slicks) there that people say roll as fast as any 23mm's they've ever tried.

Cheers
TRJB

therealjoeblow

Hmmm, I guess the forum doesn't like links to other competing forums...

www.zzz.com/r/bicycling/comments/3acm8d/whats_the_fastest_rolling_700x32c_tire_bonus/

try that, replace the "zzz" with r-e-d-d-i-t, without the dashes.

Cheers
TRJB