Is there an advantage in changing to narrower tyres

[wait4me]

I have a Giant Escape 1.5 which after 1400 miles is in need of a new rear tyre. It's had a Maxxis Columbiere 700 x 32 from new. The rim is 622 19 wich will take a 700 x 28 tyre. Here's the questions--
1/ Will I gain much in the less road resistance of the narrower tyre?
2/ I have been very happy with the Columbiere but can't find it in this size. Any recommendations for a similar tyre which also has some (p word) protection?

 

[Stonepark]

1)Not a lot in resistance difference, tyre compound probably has more effect friction wise and 28mm will be less comfortable as require higher pressure for narrower tyre
2)Schwalbe Durano plus - a little heavier but about as puncture resistant as you can get,

 

[PpPete]

Friend of mine went from 700x35 to 700x23, his hybrid looked chuffing silly, but he didnt half go faster !
Whether going from 32 to 28 will make a huge difference I don't know but I would certainly try, maybe even a 25 !
Durano + are good, or at the budget end, look for Bontrager Hardace RaceLites

 

[Norm]

IMO, the width isn't the important factor but the pressure used.

 

[wait4me]

Thanks for the help/advice. Off to the LBS tomorrow, see if they can get close to the on line prices

 

[Cyclist33]

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/maxxis-columbiere-tyre-700-x-32-id59752.html

Simples.

 

[sabian92]

You'll go faster. Everybody wants to go faster.

 

[Red Light]

If they are the same pressure, wider tyres will have a lower rolling resistance all other things being equal. The reason wider ones tend to be slower is because wider tyres generally have lower maximum pressures.

 

[Dragonwight]

The width of the tyre makes no difference to its rolling road resistance. Material, tread pattern and weight are the things you want to be looking at. As long as you inflate the tyre to the recommended amount the pressure will make no difference.Friction does not depend on surface area as a variable only the coefficent of friction and mass excluding air resistance.

 

[GrasB]

Actually at a noticably reduced pressure the same construction of tyre will have the same rolling resistance. The problem is most manufactures use a different tyre construction for tyres <25mm & >28mm.

One of the few tyres which uses the same construction across its entire range is the Ultremo ZX line. If I take a 23-622 at 100psi (this the reference rolling resistance) gives the same rolling resistance as a 28-622 at 89psi on a 622-13 rim. However things get even more intresting when you go for a wider rim, take those same 23-622 & 28-622 tyres mount them on a 622-17 rim (as wide as I'd want to take a 23mm tyre). Now the 23-662 now is at 94psi for the same rolling resistance & the 28-622 is down at 83psi. If I do the same test with a Conti GP I get a higher rolling resistance on 28-622 than 23-622 at the same pressure.

I should point out these differences are in terms of 2w maximum at 30mph!

 

[cyberknight]

IMO, the width isn't the important factor but the pressure used.

Norm speaketh some truth , theres been a fair bit about tyre width lately in the cycle rags and seems even the pros are moving to 25s as its been found although the tyre has a wider contact patch because it is wider there is less deformation of the tyre structure the contact patch is not as long .The upshot of this is 25s can roll as well or better than 23s and offer a bit more comfort .
Pity i cant get 25s under my cruds

 

[VamP]

And then there's the weight of the darn things...

 

[Dragonwight]

If you take two tyres with equal mass and the same coefficent of friction and the only difference is there width they will have exactly the same rolling road resistance leaving aside air resistance thats physics 101. Sheldon Brown actually concluded that in the real world a tyre with a slightly lower pressure and increased deflection would work better due to the poor condition of most roads and I have to say I have found this to be the case and I live in the part of the UK that offically has the worst roads.

 

[GrasB]

If you take two tyres with equal mass and the same coefficent of friction and the only difference is there width they will have exactly the same rolling road resistance leaving aside air resistance thats physics 101. Sheldon Brown actually concluded that in the real world a tyre with a slightly lower pressure and increased deflection would work better due to the poor condition of most roads and I have to say I have found this to be the case and I live in the part of the UK that offically has the worst roads.

Assuming that friction is the only source of losses. I'll give you a clue, it isn't.

 

[Dragonwight]

Assuming that friction is the only source of losses. I'll give you a clue, it isn't.

Dont be so cryptic do tell us what are the other losses that make a difference and supply sources so we can all see and be educated.