Commuter tires with skinny 700C rims and tight clearance?
 

Any suggestions for commuter tires for 1980s road bikes with skinny 700c wheels and tight frame clearance?
Thanks
Jim

650B
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/650b.html

Literally not helpful.
I would use Schwalbe Durano Plus, 25c if they will fit. If limited to 23c then Gatorskin Hardshells are alright.

Ditto both the above.

Can't go wrong with Schwalbe Marathons for a reliable commuting tire. In 700c they go down to 25c. 650b conversion is probably way more than you want to do, but it is a great way to fit wider tires. I converted an early 90s Bianchi to 650b and have 40-584 tires on it. Still I did have to dimple the chainstays to fit.

If flatting is your primary concern, then agreed that Gatorskins seem to be the standard.

For a good combination of ride quality and flat resistance, find a pair of Vittoria Rubino Pro III's in size 25. No longer in production, but in over 20,000 miles of pavement riding on several sets of them, I had only two flats. Usually found on eBay for under $30/tire.

What's the issue? There are plenty of 622x whatever tires around for sale. My late 70's 700C rims are 14mm inside width, but they hold a 622x25 tire just fine.

Since you didn't specify what the issue was or criteria for what you are wanting, all I can do is suppose what you are wanting to know.

Is frame clearance the issue? At what size tire is that an issue for you?

I would say before you start to look at whether the frames of the bikes you are looking at have eyelets for racks and mudguards. If they don't, tire clearances are probably minimal

Maxxis Re-Fuse tires are supposed to be tough and are available in 700x23/25. https://www.maxxis.com/catalog/tire-256-132-re-fuse

Me, I don't have any interest in skinny tires. Bigger (38mm+) tires are the right tool for the job in my area. ;)

The bike is a Diamondback Interval (like an Ironman). 28 mm tires fit on the back but touch the apex of the fork on the front. 25 max on the front.
It does have fender eyelets.
Do any suitable tires have a wide profile so there is volume but smaller diameter? Is there a problem with using a 28 on the back and 25 on the front?
Thanks
Jim

My 1988 Bianchi Premio (which I never ride anymore) is in the same boat. 28mm fits in back, but to use a 28mm in front, the wheel needs to be perfectly true, and the tire needs to be mounted carefully. Otherwise "Zzzt! Zzzt!" when riding out of the saddle. ;) I rode a few brevets with a 25mm in front, it's not a problem to have two sizes.

Bike tires are basically circular in cross-section. Some have a slight egg-shape due to thicker tread, but I don't know of any that are wider than they are tall. If the rims are approaching replacement time, you could get wider rims which would spread the tires out. But there is a risk that the tires would also grow a little taller, so you might still have to move back down to 25mm.

I've considered this for my 700C bikes so that it is like having tires the next size bigger, but I'm so content with my 650B conversion that I just ride it instead. :)

As ThermionicScott said, bike tires are basically a circular in cross section. They don't do any of the special molding and shaping that your automobile tire get. Partly because it would add to the weight and make for a very hard riding tire as it would have to be strong enough to hold almost three times the pressure a normal car tire.

If you frame limits you in tire size and you don't want one of those shiny new cyclocross bikes, then your best bet. IMO, is to look for tires that are geared more for speed and less rolling resistance. Those will naturally have a more supple feel to them and will give you a more comfortable ride. You'll give up some amount of puncture resistance, but the feel is wonderful.

In every case where I bought a more expensive tire than before, the ride feel improved even though they were the same size tire.

My favorite tough skinny clincher tires are Gatorskins and black wall Panaracers. Schwalbe Marathon tires are great but, they're really big. So are Michelin Pro Tek tires. They're really large and need plenty of space.