Best road bike tyres for commute

[Harv]

I have 700c x 23c but I'm told that you should have 700c x 25c if your commuting.

Is this right? What's the difference and why is one better than the other.

 

[ianrauk]

I see more people cycle commuting on 23's then 25's, but more and more people are moving to 25's because the professionals are. That and because apparently the 25's roll just that little bit quicker and offer slightly more comfort.

 

[MikeW-71]

I commute just fine on 23mm. 25's will be a little more comfy that's all.

 

[uclown2002]

I've used both and I can't say I feel a difference.

 

[User6179]

I've used both and I can't say I feel a difference.

If you put the same psi in both they will feel the same

 

[sittingbull]

If you put the same psi in both they will feel the same

Makes sense........so if you put less psi in 25's are you more vulnerable to flats?

 

[John the Canuck]

and so why not 28c..?

serious question

i want to buy new tyres for my latest Peugeot - the 23c tyres were perished
i do have 23c on my other bike - shake my [remaining] teeth out at 110psi on our country roads

 

[User6179]

Makes sense........so if you put less psi in 25's are you more vulnerable to flats?

Would say 100 psi in a 25c and 120 psi in a 23c would have about the same vulnerability to flats or 90 and 110 and 80 and 100 .
25s are good if your a heavier rider , if your under 13 stone then 23c are fine unless the roads are really bad .
Also at low speeds a bigger tyre rolls better .

 

[User6179]

and so why not 28c..?

serious question

i want to buy new tyres for my latest Peugeot - the 23c tyres were perished
i do have 23c on my other bike - shake my [remaining] teeth out at 110psi on our country roads

Most racing bikes wont have clearance for 28s

 

[Moodyman]

If you have the clearance, then, 28 is a good balance between between comfort and speed.

 

[sittingbull]

........if your under 13 stone then 23c are fine unless the roads are really bad ...... .

....under 10 stone when wet through. I was running 90/110 but got too many flats, now 100/115 and get slightly less but combined with an aluminium frame I find it harsh.

I'm considering reverting to steel but every now and then these tyre size threads pop up and I'm wondering how much difference 25's would make. Maybe CF is the answer but I'd need convincing first.

 

[MikeW-71]

A CX would. I've recently bought a CX and I put some 28mm slicks on it. Runs great.

More pressure should only help guard against pinch flats though. At your weight, 115psi sounds too high. I'm 11 stone and run 105psi rear and 100psi front on 23mm without problem.

The 28's I'm running at 85psi rear and 80psi front.

 

[sittingbull]

I was getting too many pinch flats, with 23c Gatorskins, they have a recommended psi of 110 so I thought I'd better increase it a bit.

A while back my lbs explained that 23c was the new 20c, now 25c is the new 23c

 

[User6179]

....under 10 stone when wet through. I was running 90/110 but got too many flats, now 100/115 and get slightly less but combined with an aluminium frame I find it harsh.

I'm considering reverting to steel but every now and then these tyre size threads pop up and I'm wondering how much difference 25's would make. Maybe CF is the answer but I'd need convincing first.

Whats the tyres you use, some like marathons have thick sidewalls and the ride is harsh even with 28s .

 

[sittingbull]

23c Gatorskins, I've been using them continuously for 2 years and have more in stock. I'm relatively new to the technology behind the sport as I only saw cycling as exercise to complement my running for many years. Now I'm getting more into it I've got a few pairs of wheels to try and some Rubino Pros and GP4000s to try, but just Gators until now (apart from the OE Michelins on my Allez but they were awful).