Tyre size and speed, 2011 Vs 2017

[mustang1]

These days the mantra is wide tyres are faster. In 2011 the mantra was slimmer tyres are faster. I found this when researching a potential bike purchase on bike radar:

The Fratello’s less racy credentials are shown by the clearance for 28mm rubber, which would add more comfort, though at the expense of a little speed.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-condor-bikes-fratello-11-43106/

In another 10 years, skinny tyres will be faster again through the properties of magic and marketing.

 

[KnackeredBike]

It is a stupid debate to have because there are just so many variables that you might as well tell everyone what you have in your sandwich at work and how it's much better than what everyone else has.

I am happy on 23mm. Even if there were marginal gains to be had I do not care because I do not do serious competitive cycling and so saving a matter of seconds is not a concern.

 

[T4tomo]

I'm faster on cheese and pickle sandwiches than on tuna mayo.

 

[bozmandb9]

What I find funny is that loads of people will now be running 28's on thin rims, giving a bulbous tyre profile, dangerous handling, and poor aerodynamics, having read an article that bigger is now better, which didn't have the decency to point out that you'll only get any benefit from upsizing your tyres if the rim has an appropriate internal width!

I'm still happy on my 23's since I have a 2011 bike, especially as I now have a winter bike with 28's and mudguards.

 

[Alan O]

I'm faster on cheese and pickle sandwiches than on tuna mayo.

Pah! Sausage butties are even faster.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

I'm faster on my red bike than my maroon coloured bike.

* the fact that the former is a road bike and the latter a tourer has absolutely nothing to do with it. How dare you question my preconceptions!

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Don't try and get an education in science by reading bike magazines and reviews.Wider has always been "faster" than narrow in spite of what the fashion of the period dictated.

 

[Dirk]

I'm faster on Tribute than Doom Bar.

 

[Oxo]

I'm faster.

 

[Kestevan]

I'm Wider.....

 

[mustang1]

I'm both

 

[LiamW]

I'm Spartacus

 

[Vapin' Joe]

There has to be an optimum width beyond which drag and weight overcome any rolling advantages. I would guess that whatever it is, it is not all that far away from 23mm.

 

[Drago]

Yep, this is why a rider on a Grifter won the TdF in 1978.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Pah! Sausage butties are even faster.

If you add an egg to your sausage butty you'll shave a few tenths off.