23c vs 25c

[fossyant]

It wasn't long ago that most road bikes had 32-630 and called them 27x1¼", was it?

At least 30 years !!!! I progessed to 700c 30 years ago !!! I remember TT'ing on Wolber Profil 18 rims with 18mm tubs. Tiny.

 

[mrbikerboy73]

Always run 23's until I bought a bike recently with 25's on it and I'm converted. They seem to soak up rough roads a bit better as I can run them at a slightly lower pressure. No disadvantages that I've found so far. That's said, I've not tried fitting the mudguards yet but it's not the end of the world if they don't fit. I'll just buy some different ones.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Clearance is an issue, on my 'winter' (well, all year round commuter/general purpose) bike

It's one of the Ribble (blue aluminium framed) 'winter bikes'
'23's are seemingly the maximum with mudguards, but I like to think I ride fairly 'lighly', so it's not that much of an issue, beside being only about 10 Stone

I'm using 25mm Mavic tyres on my Ribble winter bike. IME its not the guards themselves that cause the clearance problem it is the brackets - especially the one on the rear brake bridge - solution - don't use it. I have fitted my guards without it, and the two stays and the fixing to the bottom bracket are enough to hold the guard firmly in place. Just in case, I've also put a piece of old inner tube between the guard and the brake bridge to avoid rattling. The front guard bracket is fitted so as to keep the guard as far away from the tyre as possible. Also worth noting that if you measure your tyres your 23mmm may actually be nearer to 25mm, and vice versa.

 

[buggi]

Schwalbe did some tech report on it. IIRC if you ride under 25mph you're better off on 25s. If you ride over you're better off on 23s. It's to do with the way the tyre flexes.

 

[dodgy]

I am using Michelin pro race 4 endurance 25mm on my titanium bike. They actually measure at just a bit under 28mm wide. I prefer them over 23mm, when you look down you don't get a noticeable a deformation of the tyre as it contacts the ground.
When I first bought this bike (Kinesis Tripster) I put Conti Gatorskin 32mm on it, they were also comfortable but a bit skittish in the wet.
When I can find reasonably priced stock of Michelin's new 28mm Pro Race 4 endurance, I'll be putting them on.

 

[Cuchilo]

Ive just put 20mm tyres on my shiv and to be honest I cant really tell the difference . I think @Roadrider48 has been using the same 20mm tyres for a few weeks longer than me so may have a more informed opinion .

 

[Roadrider48]

I have had 20mm clinchers on my Exocet 2 for a couple of months now.
I have found they roll well and corner pretty good too. I have found them fast but not a great deal in it compared to 25mm's.
I have the rear at 130psi and the front at 110psi.
But £50 or £60 tyres for £6.99 each can't be bad. As I said, I've found them really good considering there are a lot of negative stories about using 20mm tyres.
They don't get regular use though as they are on my TT bike. Used maybe once or twice a week.

 

[jack smith]

Ive just gone to 23 from using 25 for a long time and i can definatley feel less rubber in contact with the roads in the corners, deffo abit rougher too

 

[Smokin Joe]

Schwalbe did some tech report on it. IIRC if you ride under 25mph you're better off on 25s. If you ride over you're better off on 23s. It's to do with the way the tyre flexes.

I'd better look for some 18s then.

 

[Louch]

I feel my 25s corner much better than my 23s did. May be all in the mind though.

 

[Louch]

I feel my 25s corner much better than my 23s did. May be all in the mind though.

 

[Smokin Joe]

I feel my 25s corner much better than my 23s did. May be all in the mind though.

You're in two minds about that?

 

[Rob3rt]

Schwalbe did some tech report on it. IIRC if you ride under 25mph you're better off on 25s. If you ride over you're better off on 23s. It's to do with the way the tyre flexes.

It is not that simple.

 

[david k]

Hi guys,

The general trend on the roads at the minute seems to be upgrading from 23c to 25c

Rolling resistance negligible between the two and the extra rubber on the 25c is better suited to our rough roads.

Has anyone here done this upgrade?

Regretted it?
Wished they had done it sooner?
Not noticed any difference?

Need new tyres and can't decide what width to get.

Thanks

Chris

i changed and found it made a massive difference to my comfort, i am 6 foot 2 and 17 1/2 stone though, so maybe 23s were a poor original choice!

 

[.stu]

I've got a 23 Conti 4seasons on the front and a 23 Michelin pro4 endurance on the back. The conti won't fit on the back due to clearance issues with my mudguards. So clearly 23 conti is not the same as 23 michelin.