28c or 32c Tires for Commuting?
#26
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I recently purchased Continental Gatorskin tires in 700 x 28c to replace the Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase tires in 700 x 32c on my Trek hybrid, but I'm wondering if I made a good choice in downsizing. They don't make Gatorskins larger than 28c, so I took what the shop had. After reading many posts here about tire sizes & commuting I'm thinking that returning the unused Contis and getting some Panaracer Pasela Tourguards in 32c might be a better match for my riding conditions. My commute is 7.5 miles round trip in suburban streets and MUPs, usually in dry weather. I also ride about 30 miles most weekends. Any advice would be appreciated.
#27
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Alan - cool to see someone from Treefort here...you guys are my fav online bike shop.
As far as the tire question, I have the 28 gatorskins on my Tricross after running through some Vittoria Randoneurs really quickly...the VR was soft, and I hardly got any miles out of them. The gatorskin feels way faster to me although I havent' really timed anything to see if they really are. In 2k miles of commuting this year I had one flat with the gatorskins -- a pinch flat from hitting a rock. Besides that they've been great. I do think the VR's in 32 handled a section of rough road better than the 28 GS -- but most of my riding is on decent pavement.
As far as the tire question, I have the 28 gatorskins on my Tricross after running through some Vittoria Randoneurs really quickly...the VR was soft, and I hardly got any miles out of them. The gatorskin feels way faster to me although I havent' really timed anything to see if they really are. In 2k miles of commuting this year I had one flat with the gatorskins -- a pinch flat from hitting a rock. Besides that they've been great. I do think the VR's in 32 handled a section of rough road better than the 28 GS -- but most of my riding is on decent pavement.
#28
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Look for the Serfas Secas in 28c. They're awesome, and practically slicks which is fantastic and hard to find in that size.
#30
Miles to Go
I guess it's moot because you already have the 28c Gatorskins in-hand, but I just bought a bike second-hand with 32c gatorskins on it. I just verified on the Internet that they are available.
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Just use what you have, I commute about 5 miles to work but I usually take a 12 mile detour home, I commute on 25c tires don't think anything of it and I'm older guy. So 28's will be fine for you. Also the Gatorskins will be more puncture resistant then the Panaracers will be, so that's something to consider.
#33
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I feel the same now as I did back in the innocent and carefree days of 2010 -- if you have frame clearance for 32mm tires or bigger, run them!
#34
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ive done some commuting on 28mm and 32mm tires. I have some bikes where 28mm is the widest tire i can fit, so those bikes have 28mm tires.
I have another bike where 32mm fits so i have 32mm. Personally if my bike would fit 32mm, i'd go with that instead of 28mm. But the difference isn't much.
Ive decided i prefer Marathon over Marathon Plus. Also I like Pacela TG so i wouldnt get the non TG. With Gatorskins, I like Gatorskins. I havent tried HardCase Gatorskins but i wont since i am satisfied with the flat protection of the non HC Gatorskins.
My favorite tires right now are Pacela TServe and Schwalbe Marathon. I feel these have the sweet spot of suppleness v. flat resistance, also in terms of price point.
Im on my first pair of Gatorskins. Im surprised i like them because ive grown to dislike Marathon Plus so i figured i would dislike Gatorskins too but I find them much more supple than M Plus.
I still value M Plus because of flat resistance, I just dont like them. But Im not taking them off the bike i have them on.
I found some sidewall wear issues with Pacela TG, i think because of smog in LA from what ive read---- the Tserve seem to hold up better re sidewalls.
I have another bike where 32mm fits so i have 32mm. Personally if my bike would fit 32mm, i'd go with that instead of 28mm. But the difference isn't much.
Ive decided i prefer Marathon over Marathon Plus. Also I like Pacela TG so i wouldnt get the non TG. With Gatorskins, I like Gatorskins. I havent tried HardCase Gatorskins but i wont since i am satisfied with the flat protection of the non HC Gatorskins.
My favorite tires right now are Pacela TServe and Schwalbe Marathon. I feel these have the sweet spot of suppleness v. flat resistance, also in terms of price point.
Im on my first pair of Gatorskins. Im surprised i like them because ive grown to dislike Marathon Plus so i figured i would dislike Gatorskins too but I find them much more supple than M Plus.
I still value M Plus because of flat resistance, I just dont like them. But Im not taking them off the bike i have them on.
I found some sidewall wear issues with Pacela TG, i think because of smog in LA from what ive read---- the Tserve seem to hold up better re sidewalls.
#35
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I'd probably have all 32's if they'd fit, but they're all road bikes. 26-28, makes no difference to me, especially when either one might really be 27.
I do believe that I can feel the difference with 32s though.
I do believe that I can feel the difference with 32s though.
#36
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If you're habitually late for work, then it's a race so go with the 28s. Otherwise use 32s and enjoy the scenic ride.
#39
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I used to commute on 28s and loved them. But I've been riding 40c gravel tires for the last couple of years and love them even more! Higher volume, lower pressure, more aggressive tread, and running tubeless now so even the broken glass doesn't get me down.
#40
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I subscribe to the trendy axiom which is to install the widest tires that fit easily.
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#42
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Previously had Schwalbe G One Speed 30c on my commuter. The wore very quickly so switched to Pirelli P Zero 28s for some more speed. No flats so far, but that may be because I also switched the butyl tubes for some Schwalbe Aerothan tubes that is supposed to be more resistant to punctures. Enjoy the improved speed and road feel compared to the Schwalbes.
#43
Junior Member
Previously had Schwalbe G One Speed 30c on my commuter. The wore very quickly so switched to Pirelli P Zero 28s for some more speed. No flats so far, but that may be because I also switched the butyl tubes for some Schwalbe Aerothan tubes that is supposed to be more resistant to punctures. Enjoy the improved speed and road feel compared to the Schwalbes.
Last edited by MikeVargo; 06-15-21 at 06:31 AM.
#44
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I run the Schwalbe G-1 Pro (28s) tubeless on my road wheel set. I love the feel and low rolling resistance, but they do seem relatively pretty soft and I’m on my second set after just a couple thousand miles. I’m on my second set of Kenda Flintridge Pros (40s) tubeless on my commuter/gravel set. Very solid tire for about any condition, and seem to really wear well.
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