What width tire should I go with?

Hey all, just want to get a quick opinion...

I have received a nice road bike as a gift from my mother. The thing belonged to my father (who is no longer with us) and the funny thing is I used to ride on the back of it as a kid.
It is really sentimintal to me, so I intend on riding it sparingly like on the weekends and stuff.

The bike is 30 years old, but still in good shape. I will be replacing the original tires to safely ride it, but I wanted to see what width tires some of you may recommend.

It currently has 700 x 28, but Im thinking of going 700 x 25
I intend on doing the majority of my distance riding this season on this bike, and I have never done any of my longer rides w/ 700x25 tires just my 28s. Will it improve comfort sticking to the thicker tire or will I not see a difference?
I also know that thinner tires also help with speed too. Since the bike is older and a steel frame (so its kind of heavy) would I see any benifit in the thinner tire?
Thanks,
Grocky

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Permalink Reply by Michael A on March 6, 2010 at 3:48pm
If your under 200 lbs you could easily go with 700 x23 for speed, but if your worried about denting your rims 25mm wide tires will be fine. I recommend continental's, gator skins, extremely durable/flat resistant. Make sure you keep em inflated, check the pressure before each ride.......enjoy
Permalink Reply by Michael A on March 6, 2010 at 4:01pm
they can be a challenge to put on the rim sometimes,but they will fit. You can check biketiresdirect.com for great deals on tires/tubes

M.A.R.K. said:
Idk from experience, but those always seem to the response as far as tires.. While They are durable and flat resistant, I hear they are a pain in the ass to get on and off a wheel. Like they always fit real tight or something..

I had town and country's, which were totally kick ass too. It seems continental in general knows their stuff.. Idk if they make those in 700's though.

Michael A said:
If your under 200 lbs you could easily go with 700 x23 for speed, but if your worried about denting your rims 25mm wide tires will be fine. I recommend continental's, gator skins, extremely durable/flat resistant. Make sure you keep em inflated, check the pressure before each ride.......enjoy
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on March 6, 2010 at 5:34pm
Mark,

That's the same thing I was told when I first switched from my stock 28s. I need a tire lever to get them off of the rim, but I can get them on with no tools.

Oh, and they're awesome. :)

M.A.R.K. said:
Idk from experience, but those always seem to the response as far as tires.. While They are durable and flat resistant, I hear they are a pain in the ass to get on and off a wheel. Like they always fit real tight or something..
I had town and country's, which were totally kick ass too. It seems continental in general knows their stuff.. Idk if they make those in 700's though.
Michael A said:
If your under 200 lbs you could easily go with 700 x23 for speed, but if your worried about denting your rims 25mm wide tires will be fine. I recommend continental's, gator skins, extremely durable/flat resistant. Make sure you keep em inflated, check the pressure before each ride.......enjoy
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on March 6, 2010 at 5:53pm
Just to be sure of what exactly?

M.A.R.K. said:
You should use a lever anyway, just to be sure.. Oh the days of old, and screwdrivers.

I hear they do kick ass, but I have yet to ride on them.. But have riden on Conti's and loved em..
Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on March 6, 2010 at 6:51pm
Wider tires are more comfortable. Period. What sort of speed requirements do you have for your distance rides? Will you be truly disappointed if your 100 mile time is 12 minutes slower on a 700 x 28 vs. 700 x 25?
Permalink Reply by Ron on March 6, 2010 at 7:42pm
The Vittoria Randonneur in 700x28. Double casing, directional and unlike the gator does not have that horrid sidewall.
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on March 6, 2010 at 7:54pm
What do you see wrong with Gatorskin's sidewalls?

Ron said:
The Vittoria Randonneur in 700x28. Double casing, directional and unlike the gator does not have that horrid sidewall.
Permalink Reply by Moc Artsy on March 7, 2010 at 4:16am
Permalink Reply by Grocky on March 7, 2010 at 4:36am
Kevin,
I dont think I would be dissapointed if I diddnt shave 12 minutes off my 100 mile ride. I mean the bike is older technology so its kinda heavy. I was trying to figure out if the thinner tire would help make up for the bikes weight for some extra speed.
The bike is an old touring bike so it is fairly comfortable already, and Im not racing either, but I wouldnt mind being able to keep up to riders with newer bikes should we join for a ride.
Do you think 25s would make a difference in keeping up with others with newer lighter bikes bikes?

Kevin Conway said:
Wider tires are more comfortable. Period. What sort of speed requirements do you have for your distance rides? Will you be truly disappointed if your 100 mile time is 12 minutes slower on a 700 x 28 vs. 700 x 25?
Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on March 7, 2010 at 5:27am
There are far more knowledgeable people on this website than I when it comes to rolling resistance, tire compounds and what's a "fast" set up. I think your fitness level is going to have more to do with your overall speed than the width of your tires. The fascination in the US with weight of bikes just makes me shake my head; i.e (185 lb. rider on 17 lb. bike > 175 lb. rider on 22 lb. bike) My touring bike wheels have 36-spoke mountain bike hubs and I have a triple chain ring on it. (My next project will be an even heavier dyno hub for the front wheel). The tires are 700 x 32 Vittoria Randonneurs. I don't know how much it weighs, and it doesn't really matter to me. The tires never flat, and it's a very comfortable ride. If you want to get faster, add some intervals to your training rides. I think the speed gain from a couple pounds lighter bike and/or 3 mm of tire width will be negligible. My 2 cents...

Grocky said:
Kevin,
I dont think I would be dissapointed if I diddnt shave 12 minutes off my 100 mile ride. I mean the bike is older technology so its kinda heavy. I was trying to figure out if the thinner tire would help make up for the bikes weight for some extra speed.
The bike is an old touring bike so it is fairly comfortable already, and Im not racing either, but I wouldnt mind being able to keep up to riders with newer bikes should we join for a ride.
Do you think 25s would make a difference in keeping up with others with newer lighter bikes bikes?

Kevin Conway said:
Wider tires are more comfortable. Period. What sort of speed requirements do you have for your distance rides? Will you be truly disappointed if your 100 mile time is 12 minutes slower on a 700 x 28 vs. 700 x 25?
Permalink Reply by Ali on March 7, 2010 at 5:56am
"It is not the wand that makes the difference...It is the magician..."

As long as you train, you should be able to keep up with the most group rides...

-Ali



Grocky said:
Kevin,
I dont think I would be dissapointed if I diddnt shave 12 minutes off my 100 mile ride. I mean the bike is older technology so its kinda heavy. I was trying to figure out if the thinner tire would help make up for the bikes weight for some extra speed.
The bike is an old touring bike so it is fairly comfortable already, and Im not racing either, but I wouldnt mind being able to keep up to riders with newer bikes should we join for a ride.
Do you think 25s would make a difference in keeping up with others with newer lighter bikes bikes?

Kevin Conway said:
Wider tires are more comfortable. Period. What sort of speed requirements do you have for your distance rides? Will you be truly disappointed if your 100 mile time is 12 minutes slower on a 700 x 28 vs. 700 x 25?
Permalink Reply by mike w. on March 7, 2010 at 8:05am
i've had the best luck with Panaracer's Pasela TG folders (also available w/ wire bead IIRC.) i had one puncture in two years of touring & commuting. They're a bit tight in first mountup, but loosen up with use. i'd go with 28mm tyres for general use. They're noticable more comfortable than 25's and 23 & under should be left to the racing fraternity IMHO. Your rims and your bum will get less beaten up on wider tyres. If you have the frame clearance, i'd even recommend the Pasela 32mm tyre for everyday riding.

Just my 2 cents. YMMV

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