700x28c vs. 700x32c
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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.
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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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.
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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I ride 32c Gatorskins. Did 25 miles on a gravel canal path last week. Wouldn't go narrower for gravel.
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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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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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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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#7
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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.
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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32, because a narrow tire is better than a really narrow tire.
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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.
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.
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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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.