New version of tyre is (much) smaller than outgoing model... am I within my rights to return them?

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I like Skol

A Minging Manc...
I discovered a bulge in the rear tyre of my road bike earlier in the week and remember hitting the edge of a cattle grid quite hard last time I rode it.
Decided to replace both tyres and having looked at the frame clearance thought I would also increase the size slightly from 700x23c to 700x25c. I have always been happy with the Vittoria Zaffiros that the bike came supplied with and the current ones are replacements for the originals that I wore out.
The Current Zaffiros have been updated to a different tread pattern and the new ones arrived today. Fitted them and the 25c tyre is the same or marginally smaller than the 23c size it replaces?!?!?! :wacko:
I have fitted the one tyre with generous helpings of talc so can't return them as unfitted.

Am I being silly to even consider returning them? I was quite keen to go up a size, albeit only 2mm, and fully expected the tyres from a manufacturer to be correctly sized comparative to each other even if they bore no relation to offerings from a different range/manufacturer.
 
I would direct your enquiry to Vittoria.com requesting a remedy ie a tyre of the advertised size. Can you measure and compare bead-bead outer circumference of your old and new tyres?
 
OP
OP
I like Skol

I like Skol

A Minging Manc...
As I expected, the general consensus of the cyclechat wisdom pool is to ignore the minor discrepancy and move on. Good job I didn't order the 23s or I might have ended up with something tiny.......
 

andrew_s

Legendary Member
Location
Gloucester
and fully expected the tyres from a manufacturer to be correctly sized comparative to each other even if they bore no relation to offerings from a different range/manufacturer.
I think this expectation is somewhat optimistic.
By way of an example, I've just measured Conti GP 4 Seasons 700x28 at 25.7 mm, and Conti GP 4000 SII 700x28 at 28.3mm, both at 100 psi on Rigida Chrina rims (622-13)
 

Ajax Bay

Guru
Location
East Devon
I've just measured Conti GP 4 Seasons 700x28 at 25.7 mm . . . at 100 psi on Rigida Chrina rims (622-13)
My measurement of the same tyre (£59 for 2), same pressure), but on 622-15 Mavic MA3 rims, is that its width is 26.5mm. The beauty on the front has done 8000km and I am about to replace it, like for like. It has a very few small nicks and I'd normally let it roll on, but I have a very long ride coming up and have decided not to take the risk.
 
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OP
OP
I like Skol

I like Skol

A Minging Manc...
I was still dithering about sending these tyres back and trying to find some true 25c tyres. In the end I decided I wanted to "just ride the damn bike"! I fitted the second tyre before doing last nights commute and they worked great because they were round, black, contained all the required air and didn't throw me off into the gutter at any point during the ride. They were also PDQ although I could be mistaking this as a benefit of the tyres when it is really due to my awesome legs :laugh:
I have shaved off all the hairs tonight so they will be even quicker next time without all that excess weight and wind resistance. Funnily enough the milometer is still spot on despite the difference in nominal tyre size (I do this trip regularly so know the trip reading to within 0.03 of a mile over the 10.4 miles).
 
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