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Tire sizes

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Old 02-18-05 | 08:09 AM
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Tire sizes

What tire size does everyone use? I want to get a new wheelset (deep V), and I'm trying to figure out what tire size would be the best (and what would fit)

Is 20c too small??
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Old 02-18-05 | 08:22 AM
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i typically ride 22's. they're still skinny and fast, but not too skinny for daily use. i have an 18 on the front of my pista and a 22 on rear right now though just because those were the sew ups i had in the best condition.
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Old 02-18-05 | 09:25 AM
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I ride 25s but what do I know?

They sure seem fast compared to the 2.3"s on my other bike :-)
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Old 02-18-05 | 09:51 AM
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I'm riding 23 Gatorskins. Since the heavy tires come thicker, I dropped down to 23. Though I used to ride Fortezza's in 23 which were amazing. Damn Chicago debris...

On a related note - how many people use mismatched tires - something like an Armadillo or Gatorskin on the back for toughness and a lighter tire up front? I've never quite flatted a front tire.
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Old 02-18-05 | 10:31 AM
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I have 20's on my road bike and 25's on my fixie. I have a few RR tracks to roll over on my commute so 25's help. I would recomend a fatter tire on the rear because you can lift your front wheel easier than your rear (at least this is the case for me)
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Old 02-18-05 | 11:03 AM
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Originally Posted by Cynikal
I have 20's on my road bike and 25's on my fixie. I have a few RR tracks to roll over on my commute so 25's help. I would recomend a fatter tire on the rear because you can lift your front wheel easier than your rear (at least this is the case for me)
I actually run a 25 up front and a 23 on the rear, as I think the front takes most of the abuse (trolley tracks, pavement cracks, and the occasional rear taxi bumper).
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Old 02-18-05 | 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by jessefive
What tire size does everyone use? I want to get a new wheelset (deep V), and I'm trying to figure out what tire size would be the best (and what would fit)

Is 20c too small??
I'm running 23 Vredesteins and really dig them. They were nashbar sale tires, but they kick ass.

If you are a bigger guy/girl, 20 might be too small for you. I don't know a lot about tire sizing, but you need to choose tire size that is appropriate for your weight.
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Old 02-18-05 | 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by ofofhy
I actually run a 25 up front and a 23 on the rear, as I think the front takes most of the abuse (trolley tracks, pavement cracks, and the occasional rear taxi bumper).
that's interesting. i run a 2.5 in the front and a 2.3 in the rear on my mtb for the same reason. i've never thought of running a bigger tire in the front on a fixie or road bike. i have the attack/force tires on my road bike and they are 23 in the rear and 22 in the front.
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Old 02-18-05 | 02:40 PM
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i've found anything below 22 to be too small for the street...
lower than that and i get way too stressed about cracks in the road and ****...
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Old 02-18-05 | 03:03 PM
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I alternate between enjoying the cushy traction of 35s (!) and longing for the zip of 23s. A good solution I recently discovered was to ride the 23s while neglecting to adjust the cups & cones in my rear wheel, then switch to 35s and clean up the rear hub at the same time. Now the bike seems way faster, even with the fat tires.

(It's sort of pitiful that I can trick myself so easily.)
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Old 02-18-05 | 06:14 PM
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I rode 28s for a while but am slowly transitioning over to 23s. Meaning when my current rear tire wears out, I'll have 23s both front and back.
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Old 02-18-05 | 08:06 PM
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I've got some 23 Specialized Turbos with the flak jacket, no issues what so ever. However I plan to put some 25c, Avenir/Cyclerpro house tires that have a kevlar strip in them, I have 23c versions on my road bike and they are pretty damn reliable plus they cost me ten bucks.
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Old 02-18-05 | 09:02 PM
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1.95".......but those are on the fixed 1x1
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Old 02-18-05 | 10:09 PM
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23's but i don't weigh very much, and i keep them at about 120.
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Old 02-19-05 | 05:47 PM
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23's ... conti gatorskin front and back.... only flatted once in the past 4 months of daily commutes throught the ****ty streets of philly.
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Old 02-19-05 | 06:13 PM
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26x1.4"
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Old 02-19-05 | 06:46 PM
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700x23s
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Old 02-19-05 | 06:57 PM
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specialized "all condition" armadillos 23s. I think I actually shelled out $29 apiece for 'em.

I had michelin pros on there before and got something like three flats in a week-- so I got pissed a splurged. no flats since.
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Old 02-20-05 | 10:59 AM
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Anyone else ride 27"x1 1/4"? Eh?

Williamsburg has a lot of brick.
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Old 02-20-05 | 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by ofofhy
I actually run a 25 up front and a 23 on the rear, as I think the front takes most of the abuse (trolley tracks, pavement cracks, and the occasional rear taxi bumper).
I may be misunderstanding something, but are you saying that your front tire hits these things but your rear doesn't? How do you manage that? ( )
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Old 02-20-05 | 02:49 PM
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Originally Posted by manboy
Anyone else ride 27"x1 1/4"? Eh?

Williamsburg has a lot of brick.
Up until about a week ago that was all I rode - finally got a frame to put the new 700c wheelset on. I'm running 25's, but miss the cushiness of 27x1 1/4. I don't know if I'll be switching completely to 700c anytime remotely soon, I still have way too many 27" wheels, tires, and tubes.
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Old 02-20-05 | 03:43 PM
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Is there a tire that's especially good at keeping wear from skidding down to a minimum?
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Old 02-21-05 | 07:06 AM
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Surely there can't only be two of us running 35c's, right?
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Old 02-22-05 | 09:58 AM
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Originally Posted by schwinnbikelove
Surely there can't only be two of us running 35c's, right?
The few, the proud.
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Old 02-22-05 | 06:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Ya Tu Sabes
The few, the proud.
Ahh, the simple comfort of unity.
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