North Coast Joe

I guess a little backround might help with your input.

I recently finished my second fixed gear build. I left enough room under the fenders to fit 32mm or even slightly larger tires. When I bought the wheelset, the 23mm tires and tubes were a freebie throw-in. The problem arises because I'm really liking riding the more narrow width more and more.

Slight concerns arise when riding gravel roads/driveways and the less-than-ideal road conditions in this area. More concerns will arise in the Fall when weather conditions make the road surface dicey, at times.

My other build had 32mm and 35mm tires installed on 650A's, was comforting in it's handling under all conditions. I am fortunate enough to have another bike with tire options from slicks to carbide studs, very versatile.

How much will rolling resistance increase...to the point of actually feeling it? The same with the ease of "castering" the front tire to and fro when trackstanding? Will bigger last longer milage? I'm sure more comfy, but don't have a problem with the 23's ride at all on this bike. Difference in flat resistance?

My OCD compells me to do something about these fenders....either fill up the space underneath them with rubber, or drop 'em down to the top of the 23's, probably a non-reversable process. Opinions?

Barrettscv 

I have found that the rolling resistance of top quality tires in the 700x27 to 700x32 size range to be similar to the rolling resistance of moderate quality training tires in the 700x23 size. The aerodynamic penalty of a larger tire can become a factor at higher speeds, but most street ready single speed bikes are not geared for continuous 20+ mph speeds.

Consider these larger tires for super low rolling resistance;

https://www.challengetech.it/products...roubaix-006/en , these are wider than labeled, about 29.5 mm wide

https://www.compasscycle.com/tires_gb_700_32.html , these are true to size, about 32mm wide

The ride quality of the Parigi-Roubaix tire I have on my vintage bike is superb. They have also been moderately flat resistant and durable.

leob1

Go to 25's. I've been riding them on my road bike and flat bar bike for a few years. They are much less prone to snake bites than 23's, and feel a lot more comfortable on rough roads. I run between 90 and 100 psi. They also feel secure on packed dirt and gravel, I have no problem with them on the local MUP, which is unpaved.

DiabloScott

My fixie came with Bontrager 28mm tires that actually measured about 26 and I found them a little narrow for my commuting route so I put on Vittoria Rando 37mm tires that actually measure about 32 and I like them a lot better. I don't notice the rolling resistance so much as the extra weight to accelerate when I'm just pushing off, but they inspire confidence on the sections of gravel and dirt that I have to go through.

martianone

Echo the comments for 25 mm tires. When my road bike was built up, specified a 23 mm Conti GP 4 season tires. They seemed fine and were comfortable with my steel frame. After a few months, noticed a lot more wear in the rear and finally I hit a wire staple that ruined the side wall. The replacement was a 25 mm, as that is what the shop had in stock at the time. Right away the ride was more comfortable (23 mm in front/25 mm in rear), plus more stability on the various dirt/ gravel surfaces I ride on. The following spring, moved the 25 mm 4 season to front and put a new one on the back. 25s (vs 23 mm) are more comfortable, feel more secure on crappy road surfaces, less flat prone and wear better.

meanwhile

All things being equal, you'll be faster with BIGGER tyre:

Tech FAQ: Seriously, wider tires have lower rolling resistance than their narrower brethren - VeloNews.com

A lot of people think otherwise, but it's due to a mixture of placebo effect, ignorance, and the fact that most 25s are designed for speed and most 40s for durability. If you want a fast cruiser, put on the fattest Marathon Racers or Marathon Supremes that will fit. Or the tyres barret suggests, or Grand Bois.

NVanHiker

Exactly how I feel about my 28's!

wphamilton

I like 25's or 28's, almost interchangeably since I don't feel any difference in ride quality or rolling resistance. Even with slightly lower pressure in the 28's. I'd prefer 28 for the unpaved trail and some gravel.

I'm not going to say that you can use 700x32 with the same or lower rolling resistance as with a 700x25, since you'd probably run them at lower pressure and they're most commonly designed with characteristics other than speed in mind.

irwin7638

I'd go with 25's at least but I doubt you would notice a significant increase in resistance if you went to 28. I went to 25's years ago on my road bike because of all the chipseal in the area. The bike handled better and has been every bit as fast. I use nothing smaller than 32's on my other bikes.

Marc

fietsbob

for a given width a supple $60 tire will perform better than a rugged $15 one..

qcpmsame 

I switched to 25 width from the standard 23 about 2 years ago and it is one of the best moves I have made. No problems with weight issues since that isn't much additional width at all, but it feels smother/better riding and cornering. (Continental Gatorskins, 700 X 25.) My wife has 700 X 32 on her Trek and loves them.

Bill

ironwood

It isn't the width of the tire that determines its speed or rolling resistence, it is the construction, especially the sidweall construction and the tread. If all your riding is on perfectly smooth roads , a 23mm wide tire is fine, but how long does a road stay smooth in the North?

My favorite size now is 650x38, and my next build will have 650x42s.

GFish

My preference is 25's on pavement. Lots of chipseal around here, these and 28's help on rough roads. I was switching to 28's in winter, now I'm staying with the 25's year around, just like the feel and response better. My commuter has 32's, definitely slower from a standing start, but really comfortable overall.

If I had to ride gravel, think I would go at least 28's or larger.

Zinger

I like 28s and 25s but don't hit the gravel scene yet.

martianone

My partner had good luck with 28 mm tires on her bike.
Wanted to try 25 in front and 28 mm in the rear on my road bike, not quite enough room for the 28s.
i'm happy with the 25s.

oldroadog

I like 25's. 28's just seem a little to big. I'm a heavier rider at 217 lbs. and 25's seem to work well
even on not so smooth roads. Note: I have found that different makes from different manufactures
will vary greatly in size and profile even though they all say 700 x 25c

sauerwald

Depends on how you ride...

I commute on my bike every day, so for me, the priorities are reliability and comfort - speed is not near the top of the list. I ride mostly on paved roads, with a fair amount of debris and potholes, sometimes a bit of gravel. I ride on Schwalbe Marathon Plus 25s. They wear like iron, are pretty comfortable, and I don't get flats (my current rear tire has 13,000 miles on it, and has had one flat.)

ping jockey

for a given width a supple $60 tire will perform better than a rugged $15 one..

And a supple $60 32 will perform better than a $15 23....

dbg

+1

Just finished 500 mile trip in Wisconsin on a steel road bike converted to super lightweight and supple 650Bx38's. Wonderful experience --like floating on clouds. And I was fine staying with the fast guys on their skinnier tires. I am convinced. (and no flats)

berner

I mount 25mm in front and 28mm in back. My original reason was to ease shocks to a bad back from a plusher ride than 23mm or all 25mm tires could provide. However, in the ensuing years, road surfaces have deteriorated noticeably so that the plumper tires are really more suitable for rougher roads. Furthermore, early Spring in my area means gravel and sand at the roadside from rain runoff and sanding or roads by towns for winter weather. I worry about inadvertently riding into a pocket of sand or gravel and having the front wheel wash out.

Occasionally, when I'm feeling good as well as completely rested, I'll ride at 19 or 20 mph for a bit, maybe a mile or two. This is way faster than my usual speed. When I do have to slow it is not due to plumper tires but to lungs and legs giving out.