Tyre advice please

[danp]

Since the lockdown I've been out on my flat bar road bike a few times, mainly on tarmac but I did come across a dirt track I thought I'd attempt, and struggled due to lack of grip (well no grip ;-)

Bike has skinny 13c rims and 700 x 23c tyres (slicks) - so wondered what I could put on to make it a little better at (light) off road work.

Sites such as https://sheldonbrown.com/tyre-sizing.html would indicate that I should safely only go up to 700 x 25c, but to my simple mind that's not gonna make much difference. Would a 700 x 28c be likely to create a problem for me pottering round my local loop?

NB There is getting on for 10mm clearance around frame/brakes so I think the 28c would fit in theory from looking at https://www.cyclinguk.org/cyclists-library/compone...

As for tyres, any advice on those? I presume some tyre brands/models come out thin, and some wide - if so any recommendations for the former?

Obviously the alternative answer is a new bike! I do quite fancy something like the Whyte Stirling but not sure I can really justify it as won't be used for commuting or that regularly - I do also have a nice old MTB that I must also now get out of the garage and press into service!

TIA, Dan.

Edited by danp on Monday 4th May 15:58

[anonymous-user]

28mm should do. I tour around Europe with 4 panniers and a tent on 28 mm Vittoria Randonneurs..old rail line, canals, farm tracks and whatever else.

[Pupp]

I use a cyclocross bike with 700 x 28c Schwalbe Marathons as my winter/poor weather ride. Forest tracks and hard bridleways etc are fine.

[danp]

Thanks for the replies, my main concern was if 28mm tyres would be too wide for 13mm rims (25mm seems to be the recommended max for my rims)

I’ve since looked at my MTB which has 18mm rims and originally came with 2.25” tyres when new - which would appear to be completely unsafe!

So I’ll probably take my chances - quite likely with the Schwalbe Marathon or Continental Ride Tour I think.