What rim width do I want?
 

Yes, another wheel question, another tire/rim width question.

I'm considering some new wheels. Currently riding 700x23 tire but probably will look at 700x25 when these run out (or might even get crazy and get 700x28). But all the talk of optimum rim width to tire to psi to rolling resistance is starting to confuse me. But basically I'm trying to decide if I should get 23 or 25mm rim that would run 700x23 tires now and maybe larger tires later.

I have no fancy facts to back this up, but it really doesn't matter. Just get any road wheels currently available on the market and they will be just fine with 23-28mm road tires.

Yes, in theory a rim can accommodate a large range of tire sizes. But Then I keep reading that a larger rim to tire ratio will be more efficient because the tire is filling the rim and you can run lower pressure without a pinch flat etc (and then there is tubeless too). All probably small details I know

If you can fit 25mm rims in your frameset, why not get them.

I certainly like how my Belgium+ rims handle much better than how my old Campag narrow-format rims handled. Apples to apples (same tires, same pressures). Remember with wide-format roadie rims that the IRL tire size is one step higher than the printed label on the tire so a 28mm tire becomes a 31-32mm tire.

I like my relatively narrow Velocity Aerohead rims.

However, an option to consider is tubeless. In which case, I think they start with 23mm rims. But, some people have reported that mounting tube tires on tubeless rims is either different from expected, or a big hassle.

25mm width rims + 25mm tires are the fastest for road bikes.