Is the 23mm tyre dead?

[dan_bo]

2.4's all the way. Get a grip.

 

[martint235]

The wider tyres apparently have a lower rolling resistance than the 23mms. Interesting article here.

 

[Cuchilo]

Having just tried some 20's I think I may go that route for my next set .

 

[MikeG]

No need to spoke shave they do aero spokes these days, and a Gillette will take care of any unwanted arm leg or face fuzz!

I wasn't talking about removing unwanted hair (mine isn't unwanted, mind you).........I was talking about removing some unwanted flesh. I mean, the skinniest arm has to be present at least 3 times the wind resistance of a tyre, and legs......whoa......that's a whole other ball game. I mean, who needs those muscles anyway?

 

[ianrauk]

OMG - you'll be going Marathons next !

Not on your nelly...

 

[Rob3rt]

23mm vs 25mm tyres is a silly debate when considered in isolation. It depends greatly on the rim they are fitted too. Drag is not just a function of frontal area (A), it is a function of shape which determines the co-efficient of drag (Cd) also! Then there is the rolling resistance (Crr) to consider!

These pro rider victory examples are rather absurd.

The reason Tony Martin won on the wider tyre is because he was a class above, he would have won regardless. The time difference was 46 seconds FFS!

Note, Wiggo rides a HED3 trispoke, a wheel designed many years ago and optimised for a thin tyre, he won the Olympics on that, 42 seconds ahead of Tony Martin!

Anyone who is discussing tyre width increases of 2 mm in terms of their aerodynamics is surely considering taking a spokeshave to their lower legs and upper arms.

As with all cycling matters, there are advantages and disadvantages to any change. Increased comfort, and increased amount of time the rubber is in contact with our crappy tarmac, would seem to me to be more important than some miniscule increase in drag. I mean, we're talking about a width difference of 8% on something which is already very slim, so I suggest a little perspective..........

 

[SS Retro]

These pro rider victory examples are rather absurd.

A few years ago pros started to ride carbon framed bikes..................................................................

 

[Supersuperleeds]

No no no no no 23mm all the way !!

You'll be saying Marathons are the tyre of choice next. If that happens, I'm giving up and hanging up my wheels !!

MY name is SuperSuperLeeds and I am a Marathon Plus user.

 

[Rob3rt]

A few years ago pros started to ride carbon framed bikes..................................................................

Your point being?

 

[SS Retro]

Your point being?

No one else was riding carbon now the masses do or should say its widely available.
Same with the change from 20mm to 23mm again started in pro racing so how can the examples be absurd?

 

[Rob3rt]

No one else was riding carbon now the masses do
Same with the change from 20mm to 23mm again started in pro racing so how can the examples be absurd?

The examples are absurd because you suggest that Tony Martin won (or gained a major advantage) because of the tyre width choice. Neglecting the fact that the disc he was using was designed for that wider tyre and also that the time gap was well beyond the advantage that could be offered by those choices. Similarly you assume/suggest they are making this change in isolation.

Have a look at the data for the brand new HED3, the new version is wider and designed for a wider tyre vs the old version which is very thin, best paired with a thin tyre (19mm or so). The old one is better in terms of drag over the majority of yaw angles in the test!

The reality is, tyre and wheel choice is much more subtle than the massive design advantages offered by the introduction of things like carbon fibre frames! You could expect a 2-5W difference between gluing a tub and taping it on, that's the same tyre, on the same rim, fixed on differently! Which combination will be fastest is much more complex than 23mm vs 25mm.

 

[fossyant]

Not on your nelly...

Good to hear. Now refit those 23's

 

[BalkanExpress]

I used to ride 18mm when I could get them !!! 20c was the norm, then all these pansies that ride bikes these days insisted on 23mm. My bikes don't have room for 25c (it's not a MTB, it's a road bike)

Beat me to it... 18mm at 140 psi...no wonder descending was always a bit interesting

 

[mattobrien]

Having checked with the makers of my rims they say For optimal aerodynamics use 23mm tires.

The outer diameter of the front wheel is 26mm and the rear 24mm, but I imagine there is a good reason they want me to use specific width tyres, probably something that involves a wind tunnel and computer...

Guess I'll be sticking to my 23mm tyres then.

p.s. Sorry about the spelling of tyres, it is an american site.

 

[ayceejay]

could be just a fad.
I fitted 25mm tyres last year and although the frame is wide enough to accept them the depth of brake stirrups is not.