700 X 23 tires for clyde?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 12
Bikes: Trek crosscheck
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
700 X 23 tires for clyde?
Seriously considering buying a vintage steel frame bike. The wheels are decent I believe but is a 700 X 23 tire out of the question for a 240lb rider? In northern Kentucky it's all hills and valleys so there is aggressive climbing and fast descents. Also, the roads are not always pristine either... lots of gravel and smaller pot holes.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Alabama
Posts: 519
Bikes: Konas: Jake the Snake-Fire Mountain-Zing Supreme, Dew Deluxe,Zone Ltd. (frame, needs parts), Surly Long Haul Trucker, Santana Arriva tandem, Montagues: Paratrooper-Fit, Trek 1200, Bianchi Ocelot, Fantom Cross Uno, Bridgestone 200
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 108 Post(s)
Liked 227 Times
in
122 Posts
I've ridden 700x23 at that weight, and while I didn't have any problems with it, I'm much happier with fatter meat on the wheels.
#3
Senior Member
At your weight, 700x23 is more than fine. ~240 is the lightest I've been in my adult life at 6'5" and I've been happily riding 23s all the way up and over 300lb.
From what you say re road surface however, larger rims and tyres may be worth serious consideration. Larger tyres mean lower riding pressures mean better puncture resistance and nicer ride quality, but going too wide, like >32mm will likely not be as fast rolling, but that might not matter too much to you. I like fast, ride zero gravel on my road bike and love my 25s
From what you say re road surface however, larger rims and tyres may be worth serious consideration. Larger tyres mean lower riding pressures mean better puncture resistance and nicer ride quality, but going too wide, like >32mm will likely not be as fast rolling, but that might not matter too much to you. I like fast, ride zero gravel on my road bike and love my 25s
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,753
Bikes: 1986 KHS Fiero, 1989 Trek 950, 1990 Trek 7000, 1991 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, 1992 Trek 1400, 1997 Cannondale CAD2 R300, 1998 Cannondale CAD2 R200, 2002 Marin San Rafael, 2006 Cannondale CAAD8 R1000, 2010 Performance Access XCL9R
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 284 Post(s)
Liked 385 Times
in
207 Posts
I had more tire and wheel issues at 220 pounds as opposed to 300+. But I also rode ALOT more then than now. Being under 260 again, I've a set of wheels with 28s and 25s. And I admit I like the 25s better. I do have 23, on a trainer wheel...
I won't ride 23s, but that is a personal reason, and while wasn't likely the reason I crashed, I choose to stay clear...
I won't ride 23s, but that is a personal reason, and while wasn't likely the reason I crashed, I choose to stay clear...
#5
Lover of Old Chrome Moly
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NW Minnesota
Posts: 2,949
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 143 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 23 Times
in
17 Posts
Seriously considering buying a vintage steel frame bike. The wheels are decent I believe but is a 700 X 23 tire out of the question for a 240lb rider? In northern Kentucky it's all hills and valleys so there is aggressive climbing and fast descents. Also, the roads are not always pristine either... lots of gravel and smaller pot holes.
My newer road bike, a Motobecane Gran Premio, has a wheelset with wider rims and easy clearance for 700 x 25s or barely enough for 700 x 28s. With the wider rims, the Bontrager AW3s that I have look and feel more like 28s. Much more sure-footed and comfortable. My mutt bike has 32mm AW3s and is even more comfortable with only a slight penalty on hills.
So I would not say they are out of the question, but I would highly recommend you find a frameset with room to go up to 25 or 28 mm tires. Some people still hold on to the notion that the narrower tires are faster, but the research isn't supporting that assumption.
#6
Junior Member
I am in the 350# range and ride 23's on my Scott cr10. I used to do 25's but in any tire that runs wide, they didn't fit. they work fine and ride fine though I am sure a wider tire would be smoother. I run max pressure all the time.
DaveW
DaveW
#7
Senior Member
keep air pressure high
ive seen larger people on the trail running 23s, and i had no issues when i was 220 just ran 95psi or max in rear
ive seen larger people on the trail running 23s, and i had no issues when i was 220 just ran 95psi or max in rear
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Up
Posts: 4,695
Bikes: Masi, Giant TCR, Eisentraut (retired), Jamis Aurora Elite, Zullo, Cannondale, 84 & 93 Stumpjumpers, Waterford, Tern D8, Bianchi, Gunner Roadie, Serotta, Serotta Duette, was gifted a Diamond Back
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 305 Post(s)
Liked 2,038 Times
in
604 Posts
I currently ride 23's on a couple of my bikes.
#10
Heft On Wheels
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 3,123
Bikes: Specialized,Cannondale,Argon 18
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 887 Post(s)
Liked 560 Times
in
346 Posts
On a bike I just finished building I have a 23 on the front and a 25 on the rear. Its the biggest tire I could stuff under this particular frame. I normally ride 28 on the rear and 25 on the front. On the hand full of rides on have on the 23/25 set up its been no issue and I don't expect to have any either. The tires are a bit harsher but it rolls just fine and it feels great.
I am in the 290 range too for weight. I don't have many rides in on it but I don't know why it would be an issue. I have them pumped up pretty high as well.
I am in the 290 range too for weight. I don't have many rides in on it but I don't know why it would be an issue. I have them pumped up pretty high as well.
#11
Junior Member
I live in New England and ride in the country. Pot holes, cracks and all that can be thrown at me, I rode 700x23 from when I was 343lbs and they did ok. I recently went with 700x26 which I thought would slow me down but they did not. I feel more control and a better ride, I have lost lots of weight but I did this after the weight loss. This was on a reccamodation from my LBS and the fellow is a Clyde as well. I do have big boy wheels though!
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Yolo County, West Sacramento CA
Posts: 517
Bikes: Modified 26 inch frame Schwinn Varsity with 700c wheels and 10 speed cassette hub. Ryan Vanguard recumbent. 67cm 27"x1 1/4" Schwinn Sports Tourer from the 1980's. 1980's 68cm Nishiki Sebring with 700c aero wheels, 30 speeds, flat bar bicycle.
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 131 Post(s)
Liked 141 Times
in
102 Posts
I ride a 1980 Schwinn Sports Tourer made in Japan or Taiwan for Schwinn with ordinary 1010 steel tubing and lugged construction. The frame is 67cm tall on the seatpost and I have weighed as much as 282lbs. This bicycle is a daily rider and like zjrog's KHS it has been upgraded. VO hubs and rear 10 speed cassette. In fact everything has been changed. I did add a kickstand because at my age I don't want to bend over to pick up my bicycle or count on leaning it on something. Mild steel bicycle frames appear to be some of the best vibration damping bicycles ever made. Chrome moly tubing is stiffer and more brittle so more vibration can come through to the rider. Aluminum has a reputation for being very stiff and I'm sure the vibration can be pretty bad on a road racing setup bicycle. Wood framed bicycles may be the best vibration damping bicycles but are hard to come by. I don't run any tires less than 32mm wide. I find the wider tires to be better riding in all conditions than narrower tires. I spent many years in my youth on racing sew ups so I've tried a lot of setups. Wider tires themselves also help damp road vibration and are generally longer lasting than narrow tires. If you have never ridden very narrow tires I recommend a good helmet and a very cautious approach to learning how to ride them. It is very easy to crash on narrow tires. I love steel frames for their real world durability and longevity. Good luck with the Bianchi or any other steel bicycle you buy.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,753
Bikes: 1986 KHS Fiero, 1989 Trek 950, 1990 Trek 7000, 1991 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, 1992 Trek 1400, 1997 Cannondale CAD2 R300, 1998 Cannondale CAD2 R200, 2002 Marin San Rafael, 2006 Cannondale CAAD8 R1000, 2010 Performance Access XCL9R
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 284 Post(s)
Liked 385 Times
in
207 Posts
Seriously considering buying a vintage steel frame bike. The wheels are decent I believe but is a 700 X 23 tire out of the question for a 240lb rider? In northern Kentucky it's all hills and valleys so there is aggressive climbing and fast descents. Also, the roads are not always pristine either... lots of gravel and smaller pot holes.
I ride a 1980 Schwinn Sports Tourer made in Japan or Taiwan for Schwinn with ordinary 1010 steel tubing and lugged construction. The frame is 67cm tall on the seatpost and I have weighed as much as 282lbs. This bicycle is a daily rider and like zjrog's KHS it has been upgraded. VO hubs and rear 10 speed cassette. In fact everything has been changed. I did add a kickstand because at my age I don't want to bend over to pick up my bicycle or count on leaning it on something. Mild steel bicycle frames appear to be some of the best vibration damping bicycles ever made. Chrome moly tubing is stiffer and more brittle so more vibration can come through to the rider. Aluminum has a reputation for being very stiff and I'm sure the vibration can be pretty bad on a road racing setup bicycle. Wood framed bicycles may be the best vibration damping bicycles but are hard to come by. I don't run any tires less than 32mm wide. I find the wider tires to be better riding in all conditions than narrower tires. I spent many years in my youth on racing sew ups so I've tried a lot of setups. Wider tires themselves also help damp road vibration and are generally longer lasting than narrow tires. If you have never ridden very narrow tires I recommend a good helmet and a very cautious approach to learning how to ride them. It is very easy to crash on narrow tires. I love steel frames for their real world durability and longevity. Good luck with the Bianchi or any other steel bicycle you buy.
@tallbikeman, you mention wood frames, I keep thinking I want a bamboo bike. No other reason than to have one... maybe build it my personal self...
When my old KHS was newer, on 27" rims, I rode it with 1" tires thinking they were pretty skinny. Till I rode a friend's Pinarello with 21s... Good thing I didn't have many fillings then, that ride on tires pumped to 115psi was quite harsh.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Yolo County, West Sacramento CA
Posts: 517
Bikes: Modified 26 inch frame Schwinn Varsity with 700c wheels and 10 speed cassette hub. Ryan Vanguard recumbent. 67cm 27"x1 1/4" Schwinn Sports Tourer from the 1980's. 1980's 68cm Nishiki Sebring with 700c aero wheels, 30 speeds, flat bar bicycle.
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 131 Post(s)
Liked 141 Times
in
102 Posts
I appreciate the callout! I suggest a helmet all the time personally. I agree wider tires do soak up road vibrations. My aluminum frame Trek and Cannondale do seem quite stiff and do transmit vibrations readily. Even with 700x28. Of course my 29er soaks up vibes with 700x54. Oddly enough, I bought a second set of wheels to run 700x40 700x4at aluminum 29er.
@tallbikeman, you mention wood frames, I keep thinking I want a bamboo bike. No other reason than to have one... maybe build it my personal self...
When my old KHS was newer, on 27" rims, I rode it with 1" tires thinking they were pretty skinny. Till I rode a friend's Pinarello with 21s... Good thing I didn't have many fillings then, that ride on tires pumped to 115psi was quite harsh.
@tallbikeman, you mention wood frames, I keep thinking I want a bamboo bike. No other reason than to have one... maybe build it my personal self...
When my old KHS was newer, on 27" rims, I rode it with 1" tires thinking they were pretty skinny. Till I rode a friend's Pinarello with 21s... Good thing I didn't have many fillings then, that ride on tires pumped to 115psi was quite harsh.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
bought a used bike w 23mm tires. it was fine. but when it was time to get new tires I switched to 25mm & I like them better. for reference, I'm 223 lbs but my trunk bag & other junk I carry add some weight, also winter clothes
#16
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Round Rock, Texas
Posts: 189
Bikes: Giant Contend SL 1 Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 155 Post(s)
Liked 78 Times
in
52 Posts
Seriously considering buying a vintage steel frame bike. The wheels are decent I believe but is a 700 X 23 tire out of the question for a 240lb rider? In northern Kentucky it's all hills and valleys so there is aggressive climbing and fast descents. Also, the roads are not always pristine either... lots of gravel and smaller pot holes.
Cant even think about how rough 23s must be...i'm 240lbs with gear/bike/water/shoes.
JAG
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,846
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 106 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2338 Post(s)
Liked 2,822 Times
in
1,541 Posts
23 will work, use high pressures.... but 25 or 28 if you can fit will be better.
also remember the ride on one 23 does not equal the ride on another. I could not believe how much better the rides was when i got good tires. Get good tires and tubes...
also remember the ride on one 23 does not equal the ride on another. I could not believe how much better the rides was when i got good tires. Get good tires and tubes...
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
#18
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 16
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
1 Post
I am a bigger guy, was over 100kg at one point. I rode 23s without a problem, but at high bar, meaning the ride was rock hard. I'd find every bit of width you can. Even fitting 24s might allow you to drop a little pressure.
#19
Junior Member
I have ridden 700x23 tires at 350 lbs without a problem for years. I use Velocity Deep V rims. I now ride 700x25 because the ride is a little smoother and a little more tire on the ground. I ride 4 days a week at around 100 miles per week16-19 mph ave.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Alabama
Posts: 519
Bikes: Konas: Jake the Snake-Fire Mountain-Zing Supreme, Dew Deluxe,Zone Ltd. (frame, needs parts), Surly Long Haul Trucker, Santana Arriva tandem, Montagues: Paratrooper-Fit, Trek 1200, Bianchi Ocelot, Fantom Cross Uno, Bridgestone 200
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 108 Post(s)
Liked 227 Times
in
122 Posts
I have a pair of tires that fell into my lap, and I figure I'll put 'em on my Ramp Rat, which I'm thinking about re-converting into a multi-geared bike.
Rear is a 25, front a 23.
Rear is a 25, front a 23.
#21
Senior Member
I am 6'7 300lbs and i had 23s on my bike until recently. I didnt mind them at all.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Panama City, FL
Posts: 251
Bikes: 2018 Specialized AWOL, 2013 Surly Pacer, 2011 Raleigh One-Way, 1973 Raleigh Super Course, 2020 Surly Big Dummy
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 30 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times
in
21 Posts
they work fine
At 265 I rode RAGBRAI on 700 x 23's, they worked fine, but needed to be aired up every morning. I did replace the rear one after that, I'm much happier on 700 x 28's just for comfort reasons and it seems more stable as well. Ideally I like 700 x 32 if the frame will fit it.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18376 Post(s)
Liked 4,512 Times
in
3,354 Posts
If you have used tires, ride them till they're dead.
If you're buying new, and clearance isn't a huge issue, buy 700x25.
If you're buying new, and clearance isn't a huge issue, buy 700x25.
#24
Senior Member
We have bad roads here in the NW, if and when they go to fix the roads they use chip seal most of the time. So on my 700c bikes I run 38 wide tires.
#25
Senior Member
at my 369 pounds I prefer the 700x25mm tires (Maxxis Padrone) over the 700x23mm tires.