A general question on road bike tyres, wheels etc.

[LosingFocus]

On my Virtuoso road bike I've currently got the the standard 700cx25 tyres that came on it. Im thinking about 2 different changes for different things and I was hoping for some expert knowledge from you fine people.

1) Thinner tyres: Assuming I can put on thinner tyres (and I will check the wheels later), is there anything else I need to look at or do; or is it just a simple "old ones off, new ones on" swap out?

2) Wider tyres: Assuming I can put wider tyres on (again, need to check), is there anything else I would need to check? One thing I can think of is the brake system, but even then Im not sure what I would need to check.

3) A change of wheel set. Now, assuming I can put thinner tyres on the bike, I would keep these on the rims and use them in good weather on nice roads. Seeing as I also want to use the bike in wet, windy conditions and also take it to some much less smooth roads (planning to take the bike to Cornwall where I will be on some lanes and paths), would it be possible for me to buy a set of 2 new rims and the appropriate cassette to match my current one, put some nice wide, knobblier tyres on and simply swap the entire wheel set over as and when I wanted?

 

[Moodyman]

Keep 25mm. 23s are not noticeably faster but are more uncomfortable (less air to cushion you).

They're also a tad slippier in the wet and will wear that tiny bit faster.

But... if you really want to change, then they'll be compatible with your existing rim and inner tubes.

 

[LosingFocus]

Changing from 23 to 25 should be fine. You might need to check if the innertubes are in the range, otherwise you'll need to replace them.

Wider tyres will be more of a problem. You will need to see if your frame has enough clearance for them, aswell as them being able to fit on your wheels (Which about 28mm, they are risky.

Once again, theres no point getting wider rims if you can't fit them on the bike.

Ah, hadnt considered frame clearance. Whats the best way to check that?

 

[LosingFocus]

Keep 25mm. 23s are not noticeably faster but are more uncomfortable (less air to cushion you).

They're also a tad slippier in the wet and will wear that tiny bit faster.

But... if you really want to change, then they'll be compatible with your existing rim and inner tubes.

Cheers, I was thinking about 23s as Ive seen some cheap (on the Bargain thread) so thought "why not!"

 

[tweedsteed]

Go for the 23s, you'll feel the difference immediately in your speed (and arse). The comfort thing isn't too bad as you'll feel like a stone skipping across a lake. That said, if you're commuting through a busy city in the wet just make sure your brakes are up to scratch. Get some nice sticky compound tyres ones just to make sure.

 

[LosingFocus]

Either trial and error at a bike shop, email the bike manufacture or spend a bit of time on google.

Lovely stuff. I might just have to drop one of the LBSs a line to see what wheels they have in and go from there...

 

[LosingFocus]

Go for the 23s, you'll feel the difference immediately in your speed (and arse). The comfort thing isn't too bad as you'll feel like a stone skipping across a lake. That said, if you're commuting through a busy city in the wet just make sure your brakes are up to scratch. Get some nice sticky compound tyres ones just to make sure.

Luckily no commuting on the bike, so no worries about that. Cheers, 23s ordered.

 

[lulubel]

You don't need special tyres just for Cornwall, you know

 

[LosingFocus]

You don't need special tyres just for Cornwall, you know

The wider the better on some of the roads down there.

 

[cyberknight]

Your not going to get much wider than 25 mm on a virtuosso, i asked my LBS the same question as i was thinking of sticking some cyclo cross tyres for winter and they told me the bike did not have enough frame clearance .

I run 23 mm gator skins all year round on country lanes i have no problems with regards to grip , i only stopped cycling when the snow had frozen and made the one part of my route on a cycle path had turned into a skating rink.

 

[lulubel]

The wider the better on some of the roads down there.

I commuted year round on Cornish lanes on a road bike with 25mm tyres and never had a problem.

 

[LosingFocus]

Your not going to get much wider than 25 mm on a virtuosso, i asked my LBS the same question as i was thinking of sticking some cyclo cross tyres for winter and they told me the bike did not have enough frame clearance .

I run 23 mm gator skins all year round on country lanes i have no problems with regards to grip , i only stopped cycling when the snow had frozen and made the one part of my route on a cycle path had turned into a skating rink.

Cheers CK, the exact thing I was looking at doing. Shame, looks like I might take the BSO instead then when I pop down.

Got some 23 Scwhalbe(?) ones on order, with blue bits on them!