Originally Posted by
motopokep
I'm looking at a tire that comes in two widths, 25 or 23 mm. What is the most widely used tire width for road cycling? I understand the thinner the tire, the less contact with the road = more speed. The thicker the tire = better handling on unpaved surfaces. Why would someone want the "thicker" 25 mm or even a 28 mm tire? I don't imagine having to ride on any gravel or grass, should I go with a 23 mm tire?
Aside from performance, how does width affect stability and durability (in terms of getting flats)? Also, will a 23 mm tire fit all standard 700cc rims that come with a 28 mm stock tire?
I used to believe that, too. So did most of the road cycling world. It turns out that it's not exactly true, especially if you are riding on imperfect surfaces (like a typical street).
If you're willing to make the effort to learn a little more about it, this is something that was helpful when I was trying to wrap my head around it...
https://cyclingtips.com/2016/08/cycl...-and-pressures.
As a racer-boy from the early 2000s, I used to run 23mm at 110psi all the time. I'm currently on 25mm tubeless at 80/85psi, and they're very good. I'm curious to try 28s, but I don't know if they will fit on my bike.