Swapping 700x25C for 700x23C tyres

[TomUK]

I have recently resurrected my 1980's Carlton Pro-Am 12 sports. It has hung on the garage wall for the best part of 10 years, but is still in good nick now that I have done some work on it. I expected problems with perished tubes, but was delighted when both tyres retained their pressure with no leaks. However, after about 20 miles of use I find that bits of the nylon walls of the tyres are flaking off as the material has become very brittle in storage. These old tyres are Michelin Elan 700x25C which are now unavailable. Looking for a replacement pair (possibly Vittoria Rubino) I find that size 700x23C seems to be the most popular on dealers' sites. Question is: will 23C be ok as replacements? - my alloy rims are 700x17 (and I think they are 'hooked').

 

[Saddle bum]

Should not be a problem.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

these days 23 seems to be the most popular size. some folk reckon that 23c rides better than 25c, with less rolling resistance.

 

[bonj2]

should be fine but I would recommend michelin pro3 race tyres. I've got pro2 in 700x25 and they're much better rolling resistance than my old conti ultra sport 700x23, or the specialized armadillo 700x23 that i tried briefly but didn't like.
Only thing is 700x25 have to be let down to get past the brakes, but that's not a problem.

 

[fossyant]

Depends upon the Budget - I use Pro 2's like Bonj but they aren't cheap - about £18 ish each - Pro 3's a little more.

Any Michelin is fine - just spend at least £10 on them - believe you me, the more you spend the better... Continental and Vittoria also.....

I know the price may seem a bit much, but search the web for the best deal....... good tyres transform a bike......

 

[TomUK]

Thanks for the info everyone and for putting my mind at rest. I now have no worries about fitting 23C's if I don't get 25C's. Incidentally, the 25C's on the Carlton don't present any problem getting past the Weinman 600 brake shoes.
I received a mail from Michelin in Stoke telling me the address of a local stockist - so I'm going to have a look at Michelin Dynamics. Thanks again all for your input

 

[swee'pea99]

If budget's an issue, I've spent five years cheerfully well-served by part-worns like these

 

[Fab Foodie]

Thanks for the info everyone and for putting my mind at rest. I now have no worries about fitting 23C's if I don't get 25C's. Incidentally, the 25C's on the Carlton don't present any problem getting past the Weinman 600 brake shoes.
I received a mail from Michelin in Stoke telling me the address of a local stockist - so I'm going to have a look at Michelin Dynamics. Thanks again all for your input

Hi Tom UK.

Dynamics are OK, but not at all that exciting frankly tending to be a bit sluggish and bouncy. Often the tyre of choice on budget bikes. Tyres really do transform the way a bike rides, the Pro-race 3's are astonishingly good in terms of rolling resistance, comfort, handling and outstanding awe-inspiring grip. With lighter faster tyres you may get a few more P*nctures but it's a worthwhile trade-off IMO. Just carry a spare inner-tube and P* repair kit.
On the other points, 25c will offer better comfort for no significant difference in rolling resistance, in fact counterintuitively studies show wider tyres have a lower rolling resistance than thinner tyres. Where they loose is in the speed stakes is that they are much poorer aerodynamically. Unless you're constantly humming along at 18+ mph average I'd not worry about having 25c's
I use Krylion Carbons in 25c on my Winter wheels and they seem pretty OK but not in the same league as the PR3's


Parker International is the cheapest on-line stockist of Many Michelin tyres.

 

[itisaboutthebike]

Hi
everyones telling you to fit Michelin Pro race 3's (or 2's). Well yes these are great tyres - probably amonst the best. I use them myself.

But on a 1980's Carlton Pro-Am ? 2 of these tyres are probably worth more than the bike !

Thats not to say you shouldn't fit what you want (if you want the best).

A pair of Michelin Speediums will be more than adequate for this bike (and will be twice as good as the original Mich Elans on it that are now probably cracked beyond use). Pumped up to the right pressure of course.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Hi
everyones telling you to fit Michelin Pro race 3's (or 2's). Well yes these are great tyres - probably amonst the best. I use them myself.

But on a 1980's Carlton Pro-Am ? 2 of these tyres are probably worth more than the bike !

Thats not to say you shouldn't fit what you want (if you want the best).

A pair of Michelin Speediums will be more than adequate for this bike (and will be twice as good as the original Mich Elans on it that are now probably cracked beyond use). Pumped up to the right pressure of course.

That doesn't really make sense. If Pro Race 3's give a better ride on a Pinarello Prince, they will also be better on a 1980's Carlton. Why should he suffer an inferior ride because the bike is old?

 

[TomUK]

OK guys let's not get into arguments about a 25 year old bike about to be ridden by a 67 year old wrinkly!
Just to let you all know that I plumped for 700x25C Vittoria Rubino's online from Ribble Cycles at a very good price (2 tyres for £15.30 plus £2.95 delivery). As suggested, I am not going to be racing (those days are over!), so a reasonably priced tyre is all I needed.
Fitted and pumped them up to reasonable pressure this very day. Not been out yet. I was a little worried about the tyres being marked "Mount on hooked rims". Would the Raleigh labelled 700x17 alloys on a 1980's bike be hooked? When did hooked rims appear? As I am only leisure/fitness riding does it matter if they're not hooked? I did notice a slight raised lip around the inside of the top of the rim wall, but not very pronounced.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Tom they should be fine. Rubino's are a good all-round tyre, a better choice than the Dynamics. Go test-ride and report back!

 

[TomUK]

Tom they should be fine. Rubino's are a good all-round tyre, a better choice than the Dynamics. Go test-ride and report back!

Will do FF - thanks for the encouragement - hope they don't flip off the rims!!!

 

[TomUK]

Now that gale force winds have died away I took a spin on the Carlton with the newly fitted Vittoria Rubinos (made in Thailand!) this morning. Very satisfied with them. Seem a little 'bouncier' than the old Michelin Elans, but those were slicks with a narrow profile and were very sensitive to even the slightest bumps. The Vittorias have a wider profile and thicker tread which cushions the ride more. I like the way the Vittorias have a slick centre tread for straight line riding and a gradually increasing patterned tread towards the walls for cornering. The bike is pale Polar Blue with royal blue decals, lug linings and forks, so I opted for blue/black tyres which are good match.
Swished around a few corners because I was still worried about the 'only hooked rims' advice on the tyre wall - but they passed the test!
At £7.65 each they are a good buy for someone like me who is just an oldie re-living his youth and trying to keep the old heart ticking!
One thing that puzzled me though - the new tyres are 700x25C just like the old ones, but what does the 25C measurement refer to? The Michelins measure 60mm around the outside of the tyre, bead to bead - the Vittorias measure 65mm. The widths and profiles of the two types look completely different - so what does 25C refer to?

 

[hubgearfreak]

I was a little worried about the tyres being marked "Mount on hooked rims". Would the Raleigh labelled 700x17 alloys on a 1980's bike be hooked? When did hooked rims appear? As I am only leisure/fitness riding does it matter if they're not hooked? I did notice a slight raised lip around the inside of the top of the rim wall, but not very pronounced.

that'll be it. unhooked have no hooks. it only needs to be small - the higher the pressure, the harder the hook grips.

here's a pic to put your mind at rest

fromhttp://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ba-n.html#bead