Can a 700c23 handle as much weight as a 700c40?

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09-02-23, 03:33 PM

#26

KerryIrons

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Originally Posted by beyerj

The reason I'm asking about 23's is because I have a brand new pair of GatorBack 23's sitting in the garage. I didn't buy them to put them on this bike. There is no other reason I'm asking besides the fact that I already have them. The bike currently has 40's on it and I'm not a fan of how slow they are. Sure, I could compromise and put on a size in between but that would be more money. I already have tubes for the 23's. Thanks everyone for your feedback and comments.

If your current 40 mm tires are slow, it is because the tire casings are stiff, not because they are 40 mm wide. The size of the tire contact patch is the weight on the tire divided by the tire pressure. Skinnier tires require more pressure to prevent pinch flats, and are going to have to flex more at any given pressure in order to create the contact patch. Narrower tires will wear faster, be less comfortable, and have reduced traction compared to a wider tire with the same casing construction.

09-03-23, 10:21 AM

#27

Pop N Wood

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Quote:

Originally Posted by beyerj

Thanks for the heads up on the Schwalbe Marathons. Never heard of them before and I'm always looking for ways of scaring the goatheads away.

I'm not a fan of the Marathons. Absolute beast of a tire, probably one of the most puncture resistant tires you can find, but also heavy and they will noticeably slow you down. I bought a set of those to ride the cowboy trail in Nebraska. Bike would tick on hard pavement from all the goat heads in the tire, never got a flat. But those tires sucked the joy out of the ride, might as well run a set of tire liners. Sold them as soon as I got back.

Next trip to the cowboy trail I will run tubeless.