Speed and comfort: 23c vs. 25c

[marathon marke]

I've been hearing for a long time now how wide tires offer less rolling resistance than a narrow tire. I think I understand the reason why, but I have a few questions for those who have actually used compared both. First, my impressions...which might be completely wrong, but welcome your feedback.

I usually ride 23c Michelin Pro 3 tires (still working on my old stash before going to 4s). I've comfortably done double-centuries on the 23c. A friend gave me a couple of slightly worn Pro 3 in 25c and I rode them on a couple longer rides (80-100 miles). I know much depends on the PSI that you use. I inflated them to 100 rear and 95 front. I weight 170lbs. I ride a 2012 BMC Team Machine.

My impression was that the 25c tires did not feel faster than the 23c tires. In fact, when I was climbing out of the saddle or sprinting, as I leaned the bike, it semed like there was more "scrubbing" going on from the front tire than I would get from a 23c.

I'm wondering if this might be because I don't use the newer, wider rims. Might it be that the 25c tire in this case, moves around more from side to side than a 23 tire would that is closer to the actual width of the rim?

I've experimented with different pressures in the 25c tires, and I just can't seem to get the feeling like they are faster than a 23c. In fact, I haven't even felt them to be any more comfortable either.

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

Rolling resistance has more to do with tire pressure than rim width for the wheels your using, but you will not reap those added handling and rolling resistance benefits using wider tires on standard 19-20mm wide rim. When the tire is wider than the rim your sidewalls deform and flex under load more than if your tire width and rim width were closer in dimension. 25mm tires on a 23mm wide rim is probably the best rim/tire combo on any of my road bikes.

 

[marathon marke]

Thanks,Giuseppe Magnetico . So it seems it was not my imagination that the wider tire isn't as stable on the narrower rim. In addition, I believe Michelin's tires run a bit wider than other manufacturers, would you say so?

 

[Llewellyn]

Rolling resistance has more to do with tire pressure than rim width for the wheels your using, but you will not reap those added handling and rolling resistance benefits using wider tires on standard 19-20mm wide rim. When the tire is wider than the rim your sidewalls deform and flex under load more than if your tire width and rim width were closer in dimension. 25mm tires on a 23mm wide rim is probably the best rim/tire combo on any of my road bikes.

Would you recommend 23's or 25's (GP 4000s) for my new wheels?

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

Would you recommend 23's or 25's (GP 4000s) for my new wheels?

Dang! I'm just not on the forums much anymore. Busy-busy-busy. So days later I finally get to your question.

It's really personal preference. 23mm wide rims were designed with 23mm wide tires specifically in mind, and while it is a great combo I've always fit the largest tire my frame and brakes will allow. Comes down to handling and comfort for long gravel rides. But when on asphalt I tear down hills and need as much contact patch as possible too. I descend like Il Falco.

 

[Master50]

Right now I am using a 23 front and 25 rear. I bought 3 25 Vittoria open clinchers without checking and did not know if I would send them back as I expected 23s. We have a lot of chip seal roads and they are a little rough so I thought I'd try one on the rear.
I think my Shamal rims are 19 or 20 and I can feel a difference in both the handling and the comfort. The bike feels a little better hold in corners and the roads are a little smoother. Keep in mind I have not changed the front to 25 yet as I still have a few 23 to use up. Interestingly I fill both to 100 psi and so far like the 23s better at 100 too. So maybe by next year I'll try front and rear 25s.
I am around the light side of 170 lbs.

 

[JeffreyPerry]

I ride Mich Pro3 race 23's and swapped to some Conti 25's. I always felt like I was working harder on the 25's.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

I'm no expert, but I would think the heavier tire would provide more rolling resistance, because more weight distributed around the rim should require more power/force to get it rolling faster. To maintain speed, I would think more weight around the rim perimeter would help, especially descending or on flats.

 

[Barracuda]

So do we have an answer ?? 25's or 23's .... so far seems inconclusive ... i.e. comes down to personal reference ?!

 

[Llewellyn]

So do we have an answer ?? 25's or 23's .... so far seems inconclusive ... i.e. comes down to personal reference ?!

Seems like there's no single correct answer, so yes, it basically comes down to personal preference. There's plenty of info if you google for it. From my reading, 25's have lower rolling resistance and will provide a more comfortable ride but will be slightly less aerodynamic and slightly heavier. But unless you're TT'ing I doubt that will be an issue.

I'm going to try 25's on my new wheels when they arrive

 

[marathon marke]

I ride Mich Pro3 race 23's and swapped to some Conti 25's. I always felt like I was working harder on the 25's.

I don't know what model Contis you're using, but I've always felt Pro 3s to be more comfortable and faster than Conti 4000s (which I consider to be the Conti equivalent on a Pro 3). And that might be even more noticable when your Michelins are 23c and your Contis are 25c.

 

[richwagmn]

I can also confirm that 23s mounted on 23mm wide rims are an excellent road ride. Run the tires at a lower pressure (I use 95psi for my 165lbs) and it's the smoothest clincher ride I've ever had.

I used to run 25s on a narrow rim and the 23s on a wide rim are a much better ride.

 

[purpletezza]

Read this:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/tech-feature-the-work-of-wheel-energy

and this
www.bikequarterly.com/images/TireDrop.pdf

It may help.

 

[ElChingon]

Read this:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/tech-feature-the-work-of-wheel-energy

and this
www.bikequarterly.com/images/TireDrop.pdf

It may help.

Nice reads, beats the heck out of "because I say so comments".

 

[richwagmn]

Leonard Zinn did a series about tire width: http://velonews.competitor.com/2012...esistance-than-their-narrower-brethren_209268

 

[barn yard]

i have tried 23, 24, 25 and 27 for lengthy periods of time

i am back on 23 width permanently

wider tyres felt terrible in the corners and the low pressure 'comfort' was noticable but it just made my bikes feel sloppy - i like my bikes to feel sharp and stiff (how they were designed to feel)

if i wanted a comfort bike i would buy a comfort bike, not a race bike