What Difference Will Smaller Tyres Make

[codemagpie]

Hi there.

I currently have some 700 x 32 tyres on my bike, and I'm looking to replace them with 700 x 25.

Do you think this would make any difference to the overall average speed and also make it easy to ride, due to the smaller footprint?

Thanks for your replies.

Pete

 

[Tynan]

faster, not sure what you mean by easier, better handling I suppose

the ride might be harder as you'll need to have the tyres rock hard but all those road bikes going around on 23s and 25s means something

there are some complexities but in short yes

whether your existing wheels will take a tyre that narrow is another matter

 

[fossyant]

Also it matters what sort of tyre - if you switch from a 32 to 25mm with the same make/model of tyre then you'll not notice much difference. If you went for a better tyre - e.g. race type (Pro 3's say) then you would.

Just even the 'grade' of tyre can make a noticeable difference, especially weight.

 

[accountantpete]

As a general rule a narrower tyre will generate less "rolling resistance" . They are also lighter. Both of these factors will make your cycling a little easier.

The big gains are in the frame/wheel departments where the name of the game is preventing the loss of energy through the metalwork flexing everytime you put force into the pedal - hence you will see the stiffness of a bike commented upon.

 

[willem]

A narrower tyre is faster at higher speeds, primarily because of lower wind resistance. On a bad road and at lower speeds, a wider tyre may actually be faster because it lets you float over the bad road surface. The ideal tyre size also depends very much on the load (how fat you are). If you are a heavy person, wider tyres are much better (pro riders are usually lightweights).
If you want to go faster, there a two things that make much more of a difference. First, go for quality tyres. A 30 mm Grandbois tyre for example will outperform nearly all narrower tyres, and it is also far more comfortable.
Second, at higher speeds air resistance is what slows you down. So wear tight fitting clothing, and if you want to go really fast, lower your handlebar and get really fast/tight hitec clothing.
Willem

 

[montage]

A narrower tyre is faster at higher speeds, primarily because of lower wind resistance. On a bad road and at lower speeds, a wider tyre may actually be faster because it lets you float over the bad road surface. The ideal tyre size also depends very much on the load (how fat you are). If you are a heavy person, wider tyres are much better (pro riders are usually lightweights).
If you want to go faster, there a two things that make much more of a difference. First, go for quality tyres. A 30 mm Grandbois tyre for example will outperform nearly all narrower tyres, and it is also far more comfortable.
Second, at higher speeds air resistance is what slows you down. So wear tight fitting clothing, and if you want to go really fast, lower your handlebar and get really fast/tight hitec clothing.
Willem

faster to accelarate/up the hills aswell

 

[byegad]

No one has mentioned that narrower tyres will need to be pumped to a slightly higher pressure. They will give a harsher ride and be slightly more prone to pinch punctures on a pothole.

I feel they are a bit more skitish on wet roads too.

 

[willem]

See here for the effect of load and size on recommended pressure: http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com/images/TireDrop.pdf
Unless you are light and have no luggage, narrow tyres need to be pumped uncomfortably hard to perform well.
Willem

 

[blazed]

I just went from 700x28 to 700x23 michelin pro 3's to be exact and definitely notice a difference in speed. I cant comment on smaller tyres being less comfortable i am not an 80 year old lady i dont let things like that affect me.

 

[RedBike]

A narrower tyre (Run at the same pressure as a wider tyre) actually has MORE rolling resistance.

However, you alway run narrower tyres at high pressure and the weight / areodynamic advantage of narrower tyres normally far out-weighes any small increase in rolling resistance.

Will the narrower tyres be quicker. - All things being equal than a big yes.

 

[HJ]

+1

 

[Jonathan M]

+1, in the balance between will a narrower tyre be faster vs comfort, I'd go for the wider option.