Ricanfred

Can't find a thread that directly addresses this. Doing some research on upgrading my wheelset, 2011 Botrager Race. Boyd Vitesse, Velocity A23, and HED C2 rims all sound like excellent choices. If I stay with 19mm wide rims and change to 25 tires, will the ride characteristics/quality be similar to going 23mm wide rims with 23 tires? Please discuss....

keepamonte

I truly cannot tell the difference on my regular carbon clinchers (19?) with 23 or 25 tires. My A23 rims however feel better to me cornering wise with 25 as opposed to a 23 tire. I will continue to buy 25mm tires non the less.

coachboyd

The ride will be very different. One of the reasons why a 23mm rim and tire combo has better handling is because the tire doesn't have to bend back as far to fit into the rim. This allows the tire to take on a better shape which will increase both the handling and the aerodynamics.

A 25mm tire on a 19mm rim will have to bend back a lot further and take on a lightbulb shape. It can still be ridden very nicely (I have even ran cross tires on a 19mm rim), but the handling will definitely be better when the tire doesn't have to bend back as far to fit into the rim.

Bacciagalupe

My understanding is:

1) Rims will officially only handle certain sizes. E.g. I have wide rims on my cross bike that officially can't use tires narrower than 28 or 25 (I forget which). So the 19 rim might not work for 25's.

2) You need to basically match the rim and tire size for optimal performance. E.g. a 19 rim + 25 tire will not be very aerodynamic.

3) In general, 25c's will be a little cushier -- assuming you reduce the PSI slightly as a result of the change. I personally haven't found the difference to be that huge. 23's to 28's is a little more significant, but is also not an option on most standard road bikes.

Ricanfred

Thanks for your opinions guys! Just a quick update here; replaced the stock 23mm Bontrager R2 tires on my Bontrager Race wheelset to mix-match 25mm tires I had laying around. (front Bontrager Select, and rear Scwable Lugano) Ride felt slightly more comfortable at 90f/100r psi; an improvement imo. Rode it like that for about 500ish miles. Have been using Continental GP4000s 25mm for about 100 miles now. I'm really impressed. Rolling resistance, cornering, and comfort were all noticeably improved. If a 23mm wheelset will make it even better, I'm sold.

Psimet2001 

In general.....fad. One that results in a more comfortable ride though....not record breaking times. Therefore it's something I can get behind.

In general I find the wide set much better for applications that require better tire performance - cross. Road is a little simple for that. You can get great performance out of a 19, 20, 21, 23, 25, or even Michelin's "25" which are really 27's buy using a 19-21mm wide rim. You can also get great performance from them on 23-25mm wide rims.

Funny thing is that the tire itself and the pressure you run them at has a MUCH LARGER impact than the rim width - on ride feel.

Luckily - you don't have to take my word for it.

https://velonews.competitor.com/2012/...et-huts_232490

Psimet2001 

Oh....and FWIW - I have a kid out there racing who has lapped pro fields in the last few weeks using both 23mm tubulars on 20mm rims and 27mm clinchers on 20mm carbon clincher rims. So.....

....just ride more.

roadwarrior

But was he aero?

Just kidding...

Ricanfred

Thanks for the reply Psimet!