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700x28c vs. 700x32c

Old 07-04-20, 05:04 AM
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Knibbza
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700x28c vs. 700x32c

Hello I have a 2019 giant fast road sl1 and want to switch the slicks (700x28c) to a more gravel/trail friendly tire.

I’ve been given the gravelking sk in both 700x32 and 700x28 I am just wondering what pros and cons to the sizes would be.

also as a point of reference I recently had a inflamed prostate due to over ridding and had to take approximately 4 weeks off (on road) ridding I have since changed to a more cushioned saddle, hopefully that will help.

thanks in advance everyone.
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Old 07-04-20, 06:04 AM
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wheelsmcgee
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No experience with the SK myself, but a lot of riders around here like them (mostly the larger sizes). Apparently they have a bit of a rep for flinging small pebbles at the rider behind you, but I have never noticed.

I think 32mm can be plenty of width for a lot of gravel. When I got into gravel, I rode 30mm tires for a few months before switching to something wider...wider is nice mainly for when the gravel is fresh and thick, or really chunky/rough/uneven.

At least for the roads near me, I felt like 30mm tires were great for about 50% of the roads I rode on, so-so for 35%, and unpleasant-to-awful for 15%. That 15% is what really drove me to wider tires. 15% is probably an exaggeration, but those miles can be really slow and unpleasant on narrow tires.
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Old 07-04-20, 07:02 AM
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I ride 32c Gatorskins. Did 25 miles on a gravel canal path last week. Wouldn't go narrower for gravel.
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Old 07-04-20, 07:55 AM
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unterhausen
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I rode gravel for a year on 30mm tires and got 20 flats. YMMV, depending on the nature of your gravel. The issue around here is there are some giant embedded rocks and you will inevitably hit them at speed. With the 38mm I ride now, when I hit one of those rocks it only feels like my tires bottomed out. With the 30mm, it would have meant fixing a flat.
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Old 07-04-20, 08:25 AM
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I'd run the 32mm's as tubeless. You can run less air that way and gain some comfort both from the tire size as well as reduced pressure.
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Old 07-06-20, 09:55 AM
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Did you get your answer? 32mm beats 23mm in all conditions unless you are obsessive with weight and aero - but even then it may be more of a placebo. If you can fit 32mm, use them.
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Old 07-06-20, 02:07 PM
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Note that the SK 28mm is only available for use with a tube. The 32mm is tubeless compatible. If you can fit it, I would recommend at least the 32mm for gravel riding.

I use the GravelKing Plus 32mm (file tread) on my gravel bike for those rides that are a combination of road and smooth gravel. However, I've taken them on some nasty stuff and they hold up pretty well.
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Old 07-06-20, 02:44 PM
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gus6464
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Pros:
4mm

Cons:
4mm
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Old 07-08-20, 05:48 AM
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32, because a narrow tire is better than a really narrow tire.
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Old 07-14-20, 05:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Knibbza
Hello I have a 2019 giant fast road sl1 and want to switch the slicks (700x28c) to a more gravel/trail friendly tire.

I’ve been given the gravelking sk in both 700x32 and 700x28 I am just wondering what pros and cons to the sizes would be.

also as a point of reference I recently had a inflamed prostate due to over ridding and had to take approximately 4 weeks off (on road) ridding I have since changed to a more cushioned saddle, hopefully that will help.

thanks in advance everyone.
holmes, not sure that the extra few millimeters of tire will save ur taint.
32's are nice I go between 32 -35 but prefer the extra rubber in 35.
hope you are well. self care is important. 😷
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Old 07-16-20, 09:14 PM
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Originally Posted by unterhausen
I rode gravel for a year on 30mm tires and got 20 flats. YMMV, depending on the nature of your gravel. The issue around here is there are some giant embedded rocks and you will inevitably hit them at speed. With the 38mm I ride now, when I hit one of those rocks it only feels like my tires bottomed out. With the 30mm, it would have meant fixing a flat.
Unterhausen - I rode across PA a few weeks ago on some of your chunky mid-state stuff. Man there was a lot of loose gravel most everywhere in central PA. None of it sharp and no glass, but LOOSE and chunky.. 650b territory I say with 47mm if you can fit it! Even the pea gravel was polished and rolly on hard pack underneath to make things interesting and slippy. And with the lack if rain the dust clouds were thick enough to provide shade from the beating sun if you were not first in line!
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