Can I fit thinner tyres? Is it wise?

[mrmacmusic]

The other tyre threads coupled with the fact that the supposedly puncture-proof Continental Contacts on my Flight01 have punctured twice now (once with a massive thorn, and last night with a pinch flat) have got me thinking about replacements.

My first question is quite simply can I replace my current 700x28c with narrower 25c (or even 23/20c) tyres..? The technical info on my Alexrims rims is 6061H-T6 622x14. As an aside, I do wonder if 28c are actually a bit wide for those rims?

Naturally I'm hoping for a bit better puncture protection (I guess less rolling resistance and weight would be nice, but it's hardly critical), and having read the other threads I quite like the look of the Bontrager Hardcase or Michelin Krylion Carbon – it sounds like both would fit the bill, along with a few others.

Assuming I can fit narrower tyres, my second question is are there any particular reasons I should (or shouldn't) fit 25, 23 or even 20c? My 28 mile round-trip commute is all tarmac (some cycle path, some country lanes) with the odd kerb to negotiate, and the surfaces are not always particularly smooth. Not sure whether or not it's pertinent, but regarding load, having lost over 5 stone I'm currently 176lbs and the actual bike weight is 28lbs – I pump up the Conti's as hard as I can, but think a new pump with gauge will be in the shopping basket along with the tyres!!

Thanks, and sorry for more noob questions

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

The other tyre threads coupled with the fact that the supposedly puncture-proof Continental Contacts on my Flight01 have punctured twice now (once with a massive thorn, and last night with a pinch flat) have got me thinking about replacements.

My first question is quite simply can I replace my current 700x28c with narrower 25c (or even 23/20c) tyres..? The technical info on my Alexrims rims is 6061H-T6 622x14. As an aside, I do wonder if 28c are actually a bit wide for those rims?

Naturally I'm hoping for a bit better puncture protection (I guess less rolling resistance and weight would be nice, but it's hardly critical), and having read the other threads I quite like the look of the Bontrager Hardcase or Michelin Krylion Carbon – it sounds like both would fit the bill, along with a few others.

Assuming I can fit narrower tyres, my second question is are there any particular reasons I should (or shouldn't) fit 25, 23 or even 20c? My 28 mile round-trip commute is all tarmac (some cycle path, some country lanes) with the odd kerb to negotiate, and the surfaces are not always particularly smooth. Not sure whether or not it's pertinent, but regarding load, having lost over 5 stone I'm currently 176lbs and the actual bike weight is 28lbs – I pump up the Conti's as hard as I can, but think a new pump with gauge will be in the shopping basket along with the tyres!!

Thanks, and sorry for more noob questions

according to sheldon brown, you can go as low as 20mm....


linky to the table. scroll to the bottom of the page

 

[mcshroom]

The rims are 14mm wide (622-14 in your list) so you should be able to fit 23s, maybe iven 20s. (Have a look at this link - the table's about 2/3 of the way down)

As for the relative merits of smaller tyres, I couldn't tell you - 28s are as small as I've ever used, but usually you lose a bit of comfort and gain a bit of speed with hthinner tyres.

If you got a pinch flat, are you sure you have enough pressure in the tyres? I'd tend to run my 28mm tyres at the maximum pressure if possible.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

2 great minds think alike!!

 

[HLaB]

Check out Sheldon Brown how narrow you can go, but 25mm won't be a problem and probably 23mm won't be either, its all to do with the internal rim width, I'm guessing your have 14mm wide rims. I doubt 20mm will go safely but Sheldon does admit somewhere that his figures are on the cautious side.
Narrower tyres should be lighter and roll better hence they are faster but you'll lose something on the comfort front, its up to you how you feel about it and the surfaces you ride on. My bike came with 25mm tyres it now runs 22mm front, 23mm rear and I don't think its a harsher ride but I ride on roads.

 

[HLaB]

2 great minds think alike!!

There's an echo in here

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

3 great minds think alike

 

[PpPete]

the supposedly puncture-proof Continental Contacts on my Flight01 have punctured twice now

There ain't no such thing as a puncture-proof tyre - whatever the marketing bollox may claim. Some tyres are more resistant than others. The most resistant tend also to have the highest rolling resistance.

I quite like the look of the Bontrager Hardcase or Michelin Krylion Carbon – it sounds like both would fit the bill, along with a few others.

Both excellent tyres. Personal opinion is that they are somewhere close to the right balance in p-resistance/weight/rolling resistance/cost

Thanks, and sorry for more noob questions

No need to apologise we were all noobs once !

Oh yes .... and 25s are an excellent compromise.

 

[Fab Foodie]

There's little point going lower than 25c unless you're gonna be heaving along at 20mph much of the time.
25c is good for the speed aerodynamics weight comfort equation, but if you're commuting and kerbing a 28c might just give a bit more protection against unexpected potholes and stones as well as a bit more comfort.

 

[mrmacmusic]

Thanks everyone - the Sheldon Brown pages are very interesting, and reading that table I'd even go as far as to say that the 28's I currently have could actually be pushing it on those 14mm rims.... still, can't argue with factory fit I guess?!

25c seems like a good compromise, and a bit better than what's on just now. I do find myself cruising at 18-22mph (when it's not windy), but it is a commute and not a race, so going narrower would probably tip the comfort/kerb/pothole protection balance too far the other way.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

before you make a decision read here....clickety click

 

[potsy]

3 great minds think alike

Are you one of the 3?

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Are you one of the 3?

stalker... and yes i am

 

[mrmacmusic]

before you make a decision read here....clickety click

Thanks - interesting reading

 

[stevejc]

Hi mrmacmusic I am on Alexrims r500 same spec as yours and was supplied with 25mm swapped for 20mm no problems.