MemRiverman

I currently have 700 x 38 on my hybrid. I ride 99% pavement. Going to go to Schwalbe Marathon Supremes. Should I replace with 35 or 32?

10 Wheels

35's are Safer for bad roads.

hokiefyd 

I guess it depends on what you value. I presume you're trying to reduce your rolling resistance. This is an interesting test using the basic Schwalbe Marathon (not the Supreme), so take it for what it's worth:

https://www.bicyclerollingresistance...on-32-37-40-47

It found the 37, 40, and 47mm versions to all have about the same rolling resistance, and notably less rolling resistance than the 32mm version. The author suspects the 32mm tire uses a different (less supple) casing than the other sizes.

Trav1s

Thanks for this thread. I am looking to upgrade tires on my '18 Quick 1 Disc and have been reading up going from the 700C-30s to 32s, 35's or 37/38s. That article is great as I have been consider Schwalbe Marathons of some sort to replace the Schwalbe Spicer KGuards that came on it.

If you are starting with 40s then a jump to 32s could be a real eye opener if you don't have experience on a narrower tire. I never considered tire size much until I starting shopping for a new bike in 2019. Before I picked up my Quick 1, I tried out a Trek FX2 and FX3 back to back and I found a noticeable difference between the 35's on the FX2 and the 32s on the FX3. The 700c-30's on my Quick 1 make for a fast bike but not the most comfortable ride when covering surface streets to get to the trails. At this point, I'm going with 35s when they are available again.

twowheeldesign

This is obviously a lot of personal preference, But I would personally go with a 35. I regularly ride 32/38/43 tires on my road and gravel bikes. When I am riding the 38s on pavement, I rarely ever feel like it is overkill, and the smoother ride and ability to handle rough roads is a godsend.

The difference between 32 and 35 is so minimal I would opt for the larger tire and smoother ride. Comfort=speed!

slowpacer

I went from 28 specialized tires that originally came with the bike to panaracer t-serve 35s, then went to panaracer tour 42s and now back to 35s. The 28's were uncomfortable, the 42's very supple but slow, the 35's feel the best compromise. Of course same size tire may feel differently from different makers.

TakingMyTime

Try several sizes and see what you like. You can always keep the ones you didn't like as spares or put them on another bike. Selling them for a small loss on C/L "as new" wouldn't be that hard.

Wanderer

OR, opt for both! A 35 on the rear for comfort and capacity, and a 32 on the front for quicker steering, and a more nimble bike.

Cyclist0108

No. Keep the widest tire that works. If it is slowing you down, get something like Rene Herse Barlow Pass

Wanderer

I think you would be happy with the 35s, or even a 40 on the back for comfort. MHO

DorkDisk

Agreed, tire type is important. Many modern tires are fat and fast; I ride with people on 25s (L) with no problem on my 38s (R)

The gravel sector is injecting some nice tires and wheels into the hybrid sector.