Changing to smaller tyres?

[citybabe]

The tyres on my hybrid bike are 700x32's. I want to put 28's on them just to make them ride a little easier but looking in my shed I have a pair of 25's on an old road bike that I no longer use. Would these be too small for my rims......and would I notice a huge difference on the comfort of the hybrid ?

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

See the chart near the bottom of the page.

How much of a difference depends on what sort of surfaces you ride on and how young & spritely you are.

I did notice quite a difference when I made a similar change, but rapidly got used to it.

If you've already got the tyres (and they are suitable for the rims) then you've nothing to lose...

 

[PpPete]

No doubt some would recommend you measure the interior width of the rims and then refer to the table near the bottom of this page.
Me? I'd just try the 25s and see.

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EDIT . X-posted with Scilly Suffolk.

 

[tyred]

I question whether you would see any real improvement. If you have a spare set of 25s, fit them to see if they will suit the rims as PpPete says, and pay attention to whether they sit central on the rim. Otherwise, if you are buying tyres, buy a set of quality 32s like Panaracer Peasala.

 

[biggs682]

No doubt some would recommend you measure the interior width of the rims and then refer to the table near the bottom of this page.
Me? I'd just try the 25s and see.

-------
EDIT . X-posted with Scilly Suffolk.

suck it and see is best route

 

[e-rider]

Going from 32 to 25 will change the riding characteristics of the bike. Your rims might not like this change though, depends how wide they are.

You will certainly be faster.

My hybrid has 35s and it's an absolute tank! I like it though. If I want to go fast I take the road bike.

 

[PpPete]

suck it and see is best route

Nah mate ... blowing is better.

 

[citybabe]

I will try the 25's to see whether they fit the rims before I go out and buy 28's. I'm really enjoying my hybrid which is a Specialized Vita Sport but I do miss the speed of riding my roadie

 

[Pauluk]

Hi citybabe. I was thinking of changing my rear hybrid wheel to a slick 32mm continental sport and leaving the front with a 35 fine tread tyre. I think my 17mm (internal) rims would go down to a 25mm according to the sheldonbrown web page, but I do some off road as well as road so 28mm may be the smallest I would want to go. I also like a bit of comfort

I'd be interested to know how you get on if you carryout the changes.

 

[I like Skol]

You will certainly be faster.

My hybrid has 35s and it's an absolute tank! I like it though. If I want to go fast I take the road bike.

Debateable! My hybrid has 35's, my road bike has 23C tyres. I still find myself taking the hybrid on rides in preference to the road bike and showing a good proportion of riders a clean pair of heels. On a recent forum ride I received a comment from one of the other riders (totallyfixed?) along the lines of 'you do like to hit the potholes don't you?' My answer to this should have been - "actually, I don't give a damn because I ride 35c tyres on 29'r MTB wheels so I KNOW they will shrug off whatever I throw at them". I can't remember who said it (Murray walker maybe?) but one of the F1 pundits used to regularly say a quote that I repeat to myself almost daily "To finish first, first you have to finish!". Basicaly, It doesn't matter if you ride the skinniest, lightest, fastest eye-candy steed on the market, at the end of the day, reliability and dependability will win through. It's no use subjecting yourself to an uncomfortable ride and endless pinch punctures if this means you lose time and lose the desire to ride your bike. The guy who just keeps going will win!

Don't get me wrong, the road bike on 23c tyres is exciting to ride and is marginally quicker (typical trip times on a 10 mile commute) but when I have to spend a long day in the saddle and cover BIG mileage I will normally plump for the hybrid on 35's

 

[e-rider]

Debateable! My hybrid has 35's, my road bike has 23C tyres. I still find myself taking the hybrid on rides in preference to the road bike and showing a good proportion of riders a clean pair of heels. On a recent forum ride I received a comment from one of the other riders (totallyfixed?) along the lines of 'you do like to hit the potholes don't you?' My answer to this should have been - "actually, I don't give a damn because I ride 35c tyres on 29'r MTB wheels so I KNOW they will shrug off whatever I throw at them". I can't remember who said it (Murray walker maybe?) but one of the F1 pundits used to regularly say a quote that I repeat to myself almost daily "To finish first, first you have to finish!". Basicaly, It doesn't matter if you ride the skinniest, lightest, fastest eye-candy steed on the market, at the end of the day, reliability and dependability will win through. It's no use subjecting yourself to an uncomfortable ride and endless pinch punctures if this means you lose time and lose the desire to ride your bike. The guy who just keeps going will win!

Don't get me wrong, the road bike on 23c tyres is exciting to ride and is marginally quicker (typical trip times on a 10 mile commute) but when I have to spend a long day in the saddle and cover BIG mileage I will normally plump for the hybrid on 35's

what a load of nonsense