So who's gone fat then?
Discussion
A while back - must be a year or so - there was a long running thread on here that debated whether on a road bike fatter tyres were better than thinner ones.
The evidence suggested that fatter ones - contrary to what you might expect - are better on balance because although slightly heavier and with a little more aero drag they have considerably better rolling resistance.
A nice summary of the evidence can be found here http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/bicycle-tire...
I need some new tyres for long road-race so thought I'd give it a whirl and have opted for some fatter 25mm rubber. Anyone made the swap and what did you think?
The evidence suggested that fatter ones - contrary to what you might expect - are better on balance because although slightly heavier and with a little more aero drag they have considerably better rolling resistance.
A nice summary of the evidence can be found here http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/bicycle-tire...
I need some new tyres for long road-race so thought I'd give it a whirl and have opted for some fatter 25mm rubber. Anyone made the swap and what did you think?
Been running 25s for 3 years now (GP4000S', Open Paves, Ultremo DDs and Rubinio Pros) and won't be reverting back any time soon. Compared to the 23s I used to run (in GP4000S', so a good back-to-back comparison), everything applies: better ride, better grip, faster rolling etc. 25mm Open Paves were a godsend at Flanders!
Jimbo. said:
Been running 25s for 3 years now (GP4000S', Open Paves, Ultremo DDs and Rubinio Pros) and won't be reverting back any time soon. Compared to the 23s I used to run (in GP4000S', so a good back-to-back comparison), everything applies: better ride, better grip, faster rolling etc. 25mm Open Paves were a godsend at Flanders!
Just ordered the 4000s. Conti's black chilli MTB tyres are excellent IMO so thought I'd stick with the brand. Good to hear some real world feedback too thanks. My race is on some shocking roads around the lakes so the extra compliance will help.
good piece here about the benefits
http://inrng.com/2013/04/reinventing-the-wheel-25m...
I think HED were also bigging up the aero advantage last year too
http://www.slowtwitch.com/Products/Things_that_Rol...
but to answer your question, I'm sticking to 23mm at the moment given how much I like the Michelin pro race 3 (which still only £20 each at Decathalon!) but I may well try 25s come the Autumn.
http://inrng.com/2013/04/reinventing-the-wheel-25m...
I think HED were also bigging up the aero advantage last year too
http://www.slowtwitch.com/Products/Things_that_Rol...
but to answer your question, I'm sticking to 23mm at the moment given how much I like the Michelin pro race 3 (which still only £20 each at Decathalon!) but I may well try 25s come the Autumn.
I'm tempted by a set of these for the cobbles next year:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/challenge/pari...
27mm, nice 'n' fat!
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/challenge/pari...
27mm, nice 'n' fat!
I changed from 23 to 25 on my (now winter) bike back in Jan and really regret not doing it earlier. Seemingly no performance penalty but so much smoother.
Annoyingly my new bike has tiny clearance underneath the seat stays and with my RS30 with 25mm GP 4 Seasons there isn't quite enough space.
Annoyingly my new bike has tiny clearance underneath the seat stays and with my RS30 with 25mm GP 4 Seasons there isn't quite enough space.
Recently swapped from Conti Attack-Force (20 & 24mm) to GP4000S at 25mm, "feels" equally fast but inspires abit more confidence descending and over damaged tarmac, perhaps alittle softer feel when climbing very hard but no evidence on the clock of it, in fact Strava says I'm quicker.
Only issue found is that 25mm is absolute maximum that I could fit (just a fag papers worth gap between rear tyre and seat tube on old Specialized Allez Comp) if the moulding was out slightly it'd have been a no-go.
Only issue found is that 25mm is absolute maximum that I could fit (just a fag papers worth gap between rear tyre and seat tube on old Specialized Allez Comp) if the moulding was out slightly it'd have been a no-go.
I moved from the x23 Luganos that came on the bike - unknown age/mileage - to x25 gatorskins for the winter commute. While the gatorskin is probably a harder tyre and not as grippy or fast rolling or whatever I can hardly tell the difference. The Continentals seemed a bit more slippery when I got them and it was cold and wet but I can run them at lower pressures and they feel nicer over over bumps and potholes. in the recent warm and dry spells they feel much better.
I'm happy with them and would definately go for a x25 summer tyre if I feel the need to swap the tyres again. From a tart POV I quite like the wheels look now with them on. It's a 58cm frame and the rear triangle looks like it has been filled more than before.
I'm happy with them and would definately go for a x25 summer tyre if I feel the need to swap the tyres again. From a tart POV I quite like the wheels look now with them on. It's a 58cm frame and the rear triangle looks like it has been filled more than before.
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