Anyone still using 23 C tyres?

[PaulSB]

That simply isn't true, the width of the tyre has no bearing on how stable the bike is. Up to a short few years ago no one turned up at the start of a race with tyres wider than 23, and that was from the lowliest amateur level all the way up, including the often wet and muddy cobbled classics and 60mph mountain descents.

Wider tyres are now seen to have performance advantages, but itis nothing to to with safety.

I've never ridden 23s in competition, I've only ridden 3 TTs in my life. I think 25s is the narrowest I've ridden.

I'm not sure if this is correctly described as "stable" or "safety" but I'm now on 32s on my Cervelo C3. There's no significant impact on "performance" but I do feel much more confident cornering, especially in the wet, and do so faster than I used to. Perhaps that is improved performance? Tyre quality is clearly important and I ride the best quality I can afford, a different approach to years gone by.

So is this safety and stability? I'm not sure but this rider feels much happier on wider tyres.

 

[the_mikey]

I doubt I would be able to ride on 23mm tyres now. But...

I genuinely miss the feeling of having to ride a machine that feels like it's right on the edge of failure. Hit a pothole and you get a puncture or pringle your wheel. There's a feeling of being at one with a machine like that.

Modern bikes are boring.

I have to say I do miss that jittery feeling, not knowing if you're about to slide off the road or corner like a pro, or having to dodge or bunny hop every spec of dust, I find it astonishing when people complain that 28c tyres feel rough, and they dream of 40c tyres and suspension.

 

[Punkawallah]

I've never ridden 23s in competition, I've only ridden 3 TTs in my life. I think 25s is the narrowest I've ridden.

I'm not sure if this is correctly described as "stable" or "safety" but I'm now on 32s on my Cervelo C3. There's no significant impact on "performance" but I do feel much more confident cornering, especially in the wet, and do so faster than I used to. Perhaps that is improved performance? Tyre quality is clearly important and I ride the best quality I can afford, a different approach to years gone by.

So is this safety and stability? I'm not sure but this rider feels much happier on wider tyres.

What we used to call ‘inch and a quarters’. Plus ca change.

 

[raleighnut]

What we used to call ‘inch and a quarters’. Plus ca change.

Wimp, I always rode Inch and an eighth

 

[Punkawallah]

Wimp, I always rode Inch and an eighth

That’s because you were a ‘racer’, not a ‘tourer’, and your brain has been rattled too often riding those ‘rubber razor blades’.

 

[raleighnut]

That’s because you were a ‘racer’, not a ‘tourer’, and your brain has been rattled too often riding those ‘rubber razor blades’.

The Carlton has an inch and 7/8 ths on the front

 

[Punkawallah]

The Carlton has an inch and 7/8 ths on the front

Much more sensible :x )

 

[dan_bo]

Switched back from 28s to 25s on my CAAD12 and it's a lot quieter.

 

[raleighnut]

Much more sensible :x )

Nah the tyre is 7/8ths wide I should have posted 27 inch by 7/8ths about 23 mm wide

 

[Punkawallah]

Nah the tyre is 7/8ths wide I should have posted 27 inch by 7/8ths about 23 mm wide

Much less sensible :-)