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 Ron on March 8, 2010 at 1:47am
Premature dry rot. I've handled many of these and seen it often. I was the biggest fan of these, now not so much.

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:
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 Brendan Kevenides on March 8, 2010 at 4:27am
I ride with 700 x 25 which I think is the best compromise between speed and comfort in the city. Spend a little extra to get folding bead tires. They're a bit easier to mount.
Permalink Reply by wig [ isaac ] on March 8, 2010 at 9:00am
City streets 700x28 will do you well.
25's-23's are just no fun. Also try some of performance thorn proof tubes with the 28's less time fixing flats is more time enjoying your bike.
Permalink Reply by dan brown on March 8, 2010 at 9:23am
I agree 100%. I ran 700 X 23 for years (road bike / open roads) and switched to 700 X 25 and
never regretted it. less flats too. it's a perfect compromise. OTOH - both my single speeds are
700 X 28 (beefier tread too) - chicago streets suck ! period.

Chicago Bicycle Advocate said:
I ride with 700 x 25 which I think is the best compromise between speed and comfort in the city. Spend a little extra to get folding bead tires. They're a bit easier to mount.
Permalink Reply by Barry Niel Stuart on March 8, 2010 at 10:57am
I'd use as big a tire as your frame allows. If you use a 700c tire on a frame slotted for 27" tires, make sure that your brake calipers have a long enough reach to allow the brake pad to hit the rim squarely. Too big a tire won't clear the frame or fork, even without fenders. The larger tire protects the rim against pothohes better.

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