altondavis2

I have a Giant Defy 5 and want to get a set of Gatorskins.
The 28mm tires require less psi and I'm sure they would ride more comfortable.
Can any of you guys supply any pros/cons regarding this move ??
My main concern is reliability, are the Gatorskins the best move ???

Pukeskywalker

disclaimer: not a bike mechanic here

Going from 25mm to 28mm will make the ride more comfortable if you're using the appropriate air pressure. Some say one size or the other will be faster, but it'd be hard to notice a difference making such a small change.

If you really want the ride to be more comfortable and your frame would fit it, consider 700x32 tires for a more dramatic comfort increase.

As for Gatorskins, I've never ridden them, but I know they are meant for flat protection. Because of that I'd guess they might be a little slower and heavier than a less puncture-protected option. Keep that trade off in mind when you decide on what you want.

A good idea is to search Google for "(your tire name) site:bikeforums.net" to get opinions from old bikeforums threads.

I like Vitorria Rubino Pros. Similar price tag

Al1943

Check to make sure they will fit the frame and fork. One of my road bikes will not accept a 25, much less a 28. Gatorskins are good tires but they are heavy and will make you work harder.

hueyhoolihan

IME, going from a 25mm to a 28mm tire may provide a more comfortable ride. it's much more likely if the make and models of tire are the same and less PSI is used. but has less potential for improvement.

fietsbob

=3mm more

Barrettscv 

If ride comfort is a top priority, forget Gatorskins.

Consider the Continent 4 season or the Vittoria Rubino Pro. Both of these are sold in 700x28 and 700x25 size. Both of these tires provide serious flat protection and are durable.

https://www.probikekit.com/tyres-whee...ZDpmYWxzZSE%3D

FBinNY 

The first thing to confirm is tire clearance, side to side between the chainstays, and radially under the brakes, especially the front brake.

Then the wider tires may be more comfortable, but don't expect miracles. I use the product of width X pressure as a guide for comparability, and at an equal WxP value the tires won't ride that much differently.

If comfort is your key concern, consider tires known for having supple sidewalls, which (based on 3rd hand info) Gatorskins don't seem to be one.

Barrettscv 

Not always. Many 25mm tires are true-to-size while the same tire in a 700x28 size in undersized by 1mm plus.

fietsbob

Hamster Wheel

dynaryder

I wouldn't recommend those;the plastic will not have much grip,they will wear down quickly,and they will seriously reduce the bike's gearing and prolly cause pedal strike.

My Defy's a different model,but I'm running 28's. Not a huge difference in the stock tires,but I also swapped them because the stock Kendas didn't have puncture protection or reflective sidewalls. As FBinNY said,the tire's design/construction is as important as its width. I've ridden 23's that were pretty good,but didn't trust them with all the crap we have on our roads.

sickz

depends on the tire. understand an increase in width also increases height to a degree. on 28s your bike will sit higher than 25s.

RoadTire 

If puncture and slice prevention is your top priority, the our wonderful Continental 4000's, Vittoria Rubino, and Michelin Pro 4 Service Course are not your best choice. Just throwing that out there before we go too far left field.

In between Gatorskins and the above, there are quite a few nice riding tires most of us will be happy to argue over, just to help you out. :-) (Hamster Wheels notwithstanding)

sickz

avoidance is your best defense against punctures. so when your friends have confidence in their tires riding thru random debree and bits, have the discipline not to.

out of all the tires i've ridden (name it, i've rode it)..... vitorria corsas evos thee most puncture resistant in the real world. ridden em to the threads.... on numerous occasions. they've never given me a flat. gatorskins are overrated imo.

ClarkinHawaii

23mm Gator Hardshell with wire bead--padded shorts are a must but no worries about flats.

bikemig 

I like using 28 mm tires on my road bikes. Run it at a little lower pressure than a 25mm and the ride is a little more comfy. You also get a wheel which is a bit better for riding rough stuff if you like doing that (I do). Gatorskins, in my experience, are pretty tough tires and handle nicely.

There may be issues as others have pointed out mounting a 28 mm on a road bike. You should be OK but make sure you can return the tires if you have to.

Eric S.

I have been riding 700x28 Serfas Seca tires for a couple years and love them. The only bike I have with tight tolerance is a 2004 LeMond Buenos Aires. Here is the rear tire clearance.

Duo

My touring bike came with 32's; i switched to 25's and didn't see any speed improvement or comfort, so prolly go back to 28 or 32.

Wilfred Laurier

With that change you would only see a decrease in comfort, and extremely small to zero increase in speed... even a potential loss of speed on the flats... depending on the tire, of course - if you went from a flat resistant rigid casing 32mm tire like SPecilized armadillo to a nice supple 25mm racing tire, your experience might have been different.

Duo

It is a Fuji touring bike, so whatever comes with that, doubt they put on an Armadillo tire. The 25mm tire was a cheap set from Nashbar, but it did nothing much for me. However the inflation was 120 psi so i figured maybe it would put some zip into my touring bike. Touring bikes are more relaxed, so not much use trying to build them into racing machines.

The cromoly frames are great and will prolly last for years, one of my touring bikes is from the 80's an old Trek 620. They don't really dent, so that is what makes it hard to get into aluminum. Yeah i know you can take a hammer to them, but within reason, touring bikes are the tanks of the biking world. Wish they were more popular, but then not many bikes would be sold. hmmm, the industry better keep the emphasis on racing and carbon or go broke.

fn1889m

I went from 25 Continental all condition tires to 28 Marathon Plus. The ride was definitely more comfortable, but the tire was heavy, and my speed slowed down by more than I expected. I can use the Continentals on another bike, and replacing them with Gatorskins in 28, given that the weight is less than half. I am sure there are numberous variables, but speed does slow with weight. Just saying. Still, i am tired of riding a Cadillac down a logging road on racing tires. Not worth it.

SlowJoeCrow

For an out in left field answer, Challenge Parigi-Roubaix 700x27 open tubulars? Seriously I run Panaracer Paselas in 700x32C and the ride better and roll faster than the cheap Forte 700x25C tires they replaced.
For 700x28C the Panaracer Gravel King may be worth a look since it has a higher TPI casing than the Pasela.

lopek77

Better comfort, safer ride...Check Vittoria Rubino. These are bomb proof.

Lone

don't do it, unless you want to slow down so everyone else can keep up.

Wilfred Laurier

This might sound funny to some, but this year I took off my 28s and put on a set of lightweight 38s... on the rough road I sometimes ride with my wife on her 23mm tires, I have to keep my brakes squeezed on the downhills to avoid running away from her.

Zapdaba

I was running Specialized Roubaix 23/25's I took off my Roubaix Expert and put on my single speed bike (mavic CXP22 rims). I rode with those tires for a while and then I switched them out for Continental Gatorskins (Ultra) 28mm and felt much better (smooth, quick) without fa downside. Awesome grip and wear and protection. I love Continentals anyway. I have Grand Prixs on my Roubaix and Trail Kings on my Stump Jumper.