Who’s still on 23mm?

[Shearwater Missile]

Spot on. Could not agree more on everything you've eluded too.

Which is why earlier in this topic i said 'Real World riding'. Anyone's stats, facts, figures, rolling resistance quotes, contact patch mathematics, perfect scenario gains or indeed losses are in my World: subject to less then perfect road-surfaces, lumps, bumps, potholes, repaired surfaces etc etc. Not to mention the Human element and influence from those. And for me (As a 90kg guy) on narrower tyres at higher pressures - that meant i was frequently getting jarred / bumped out the seat / was spending energy actually absorbing the shocks / at times even at the very least stopping pedalling momentarily - while gaining composure back - as opposed to driving forward.

The move to bigger volume rubber / lower pressures may well have lost me rolling resistance in a laboratory. But the comfort, shock absorbing properties, feeling better apre-ride, less instances of tingling fingers: and hence probably a net speed gain (Although i have no scientific Data on this) are huge plusses for me. And one i currently have no intention of giving up.......

Although I use 25mm tyres and most of the time I am OK with them, but........ What slows me down the most, apart from my own ability and wind, is the poor road surfaces that I encounter now. I should say we all encounter. I could only go up to about 32mm on one bike but the other stuck with 25mm. Floating over a poor bit of road or bad repairs, must seem like a dream !

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Which is why earlier in this topic i said 'Real World riding'. Anyone's stats, facts, figures, rolling resistance quotes, contact patch mathematics, perfect scenario gains or indeed losses are in my World: subject to less then perfect road-surfaces

Just having the confidence to know that the smaller road imperfections are not going to throw you off line or cause you to tram line; gives you the confidence to ride that little bit faster, particularly downhill. Avoiding proper big imperfections still order of the day.

 

[Shearwater Missile]

Just having the confidence to know that the smaller road imperfections are not going to throw you off line or cause you to tram line; gives you the confidence to ride that little bit faster, particularly downhill. Avoiding proper big imperfections still order of the day.

You are certainly right. It`s the imperfections that take you unaware that catch you out. The ones that are hidden by shadows or you are busy missing one and catch another.

 

[sevenfourate]

Although I use 25mm tyres and most of the time I am OK with them, but........ What slows me down the most, apart from my own ability and wind, is the poor road surfaces that I encounter now. I should say we all encounter. I could only go up to about 32mm on one bike but the other stuck with 25mm. Floating over a poor bit of road or bad repairs, must seem like a dream !

Each to their own - and sounds like we're on the same page

The 3 bikes i currently ride on road; are about to be at 35mm minimum width. **THAT bike i've actually just reduced from 38mm. but have gone to GP5000-S tyres in 35mm....which i gather tend to be a very supple / vibration absorbing tyre anyway. So i've possibly lost nothing regarding overall 'comfort' per-se. The others are at 38mm.

Some here are quoting facts and figures and perhaps dismissing the new-fangled trend, while also saying their bikes frames will only take 25mm wide or thereabouts for example. I presume from that - they have not been able to long-term test wider rubber (?). The difference with me perhaps - being; that i've easily been able to test and compare the same bike with different widths / volumes / pressures - due to have modern frames with huge clearances. So my choice of 'larger' tyres has come from real-world exposure and comparison.

At the end of the day i'm neither endorsing, condoning or proposing anything to anyone. I'm more than happy with my choice. I presume others are too. However they've arrived at that.......

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Some here are quoting facts and figures and perhaps dismissing the new-fangled trend, while also saying their bikes frames will only take 25mm wide or thereabouts for example. I presume from that - they have not been able to long-term test wider rubber (?).

I have run everything from 23mm to 40mm on a variety of road and gravel bikes. I have to be honest, and I am in the minority here, I notice very little difference in terms of comfort or performance across the varying widths. There is obviously a slight difference in feel, and I lean towards 25-28mm as a sweet spot for me, but actual tangible differences appear lost on me! I actually notice bike frames a lot more, stiffness and power transfer as well as road and vibration dampening (and yes, I have swapped the same wheel/tire combos across bikes to make sure that wasn't making the difference!).

Having said all that, I don't doubt though that tire and pressure choices do make a lot of difference for many cyclists.

 

[sevenfourate]

I have run everything from 23mm to 40mm on a variety of road and gravel bikes. I have to be honest, and I am in the minority here, I notice very little difference in terms of comfort or performance across the varying widths. There is obviously a slight difference in feel, and I lean towards 25-28mm as a sweet spot for me, but actual tangible differences appear lost on me! I actually notice bike frames a lot more, stiffness and power transfer as well as road and vibration dampening (and yes, I have swapped the same wheel/tire combos across bikes to make sure that wasn't making the difference!).

Having said all that, I don't doubt though that tire and pressure choices do make a lot of difference for many cyclists.

For interest - what average pressure (*And your weight) at your preferred 25-28mm tyre width ?

As stated - i'm at the heavier end of the scale. And i've no doubt that perhaps influences the pressure i run. And my 'feelings' from that.....