Can I get more tyre clearance with a narrower tyre?

[manickode]

I'm running 700 x 25 Specialized Armadillos on my bike. There is practically no clearance between the band on adapter for the front derailleur and the tyre. It seems to be fine but when It rains it picks up muck from the road and seems to collect there and can make an annoying noise.
Would going down to 700 x 23 just reduce the width or would it give me extra clearance at the band on adapter as well?
Thanks.

 

[GrasB]

Yes, no & maybe. If you went for a 23c version of the same tyre then it'll almost certainly be smaller. However if you switch brands you might end up with a larger tyre. Take a 23-622 Durano plus or Pro 3 Race, both of those are taller than a Gatorskin 25-622!

 

[black'n'yellow]

a tyre with reduced width will inevitably have a reduced profile as well - what bike is it?

 

[manickode]

Right, I might take the risk and splash out on a new tyre then. In terms of puncture resistance tyres do you know if the Armadillos taller than the Gatorskins?
Thanks.

 

[manickode]

a tyre with reduced width will inevitably have a reduced profile as well - what bike is it?

A Focus Variado about 5 years old.

 

[PpPete]

ProRace4 Endurance 23 is a "small" 23 (coming in about 22mm in reality)
It's predecessor in the Michelin range (the Krylion) was a very hard wearing and reasonably puncture resistant tyre....(about 2500 miles since my last flat)
I'm expecting/hoping the ProRace4 Endurance is as good in this respect.