The dominance of the narrow racing tire on bikes is over
#76
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,950
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,517 Times
in
1,031 Posts
Tight clearances on racing bikes were already becoming a fad in the late '70s. I say fad, because the disadvantages outweigh the non-existent advantages, really, except maybe for looking cool in the eyes of one's peer group. That fad marked the beginning of the fetishization of the sport, along with Cinelli hiding the handlebar clamp bolt...
#77
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Boulder County, CO
Posts: 4,370
Bikes: '80 Masi Gran Criterium, '12 Trek Madone, early '60s Frejus track
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 508 Post(s)
Liked 434 Times
in
331 Posts
Don't underestimate the appeal of looking cool in the eyes one's peer group. Any perusal of threads and posts on BF, including and especially the 50 Plus list, demonstrates the power of trendy fads and "looking cool" in making bicycling equipment choices for some bicycling enthusiasts. The 50 Plus list demonstrates that the hold of old fads and what was considered "cool" in the past is a sticky if not permanent concept for some old timers.
#78
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 4,812
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1591 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,015 Times
in
570 Posts
Given that everyone can ride on whatever tire they choose, why do people argue about this? Why do people feel the need to prove that their choice is superior?
Likes For jon c.:
#80
The Wheezing Geezer
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Española, NM
Posts: 995
Bikes: 1976 Fredo Speciale, Jamis Citizen 1, Ellis-Briggs FAVORI, Rivendell Clem Smith Jr.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 393 Post(s)
Liked 854 Times
in
421 Posts
Don't underestimate the appeal of looking cool in the eyes one's peer group. Any perusal of threads and posts on BF, including and especially the 50 Plus list, demonstrates the power of trendy fads and "looking cool" in making bicycling equipment choices for some bicycling enthusiasts. The 50 Plus list demonstrates that the hold of old fads and what was considered "cool" in the past is a sticky if not permanent concept for some old timers.
After buying some NOS sew-up wheels because they are almost as cool as stem shifters, I got a NOS 14-22 Regina Oro freewheel to go on them, just to look cool, I confess!
My 14-28 wasn't small enough, in the looks department.
NOS wheels w/ 30mm sew-ups
Last edited by Fredo76; 10-15-22 at 12:49 AM.
#81
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 8,484
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3846 Post(s)
Liked 6,437 Times
in
3,183 Posts
If the road is smooth, there's nothing like a narrow tire on a racing bike, especially in the turns. For me, they feel smooth, silent, responsive and fast.
Likes For SurferRosa:
#82
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 13,551
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4194 Post(s)
Liked 2,911 Times
in
1,780 Posts
Likes For himespau:
#83
It's MY mountain
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 9,991
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4310 Post(s)
Liked 2,953 Times
in
1,601 Posts
QFT. These feelings run deep. The other night I had a DREAM, in which I was getting a bike fit and the fitter was trying different saddles on for me and she put on one that I found amazingly comfortable and told her so... and then I got off and looked at it and it was some bigass tractor-sized hyper-padded atrocity and thought there was NO WAY I would ever buy such a ridiculous saddle.
Likes For DiabloScott:
#84
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,095
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8183 Post(s)
Liked 8,839 Times
in
4,390 Posts
QFT. These feelings run deep. The other night I had a DREAM, in which I was getting a bike fit and the fitter was trying different saddles on for me and she put on one that I found amazingly comfortable and told her so... and then I got off and looked at it and it was some bigass tractor-sized hyper-padded atrocity and thought there was NO WAY I would ever buy such a ridiculous saddle.
As for the theme of the thread, I used 23s for everything for 30+ years. One of my bikes I rode for 11 years wouldn't fit a 25. I tried to put 28s on my current bike a few years ago and there isn't enough clearance for me so when I switched from 23s I went with 25s. For the riding I've been doing the last 3 years they're fine.
#85
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Boulder County, CO
Posts: 4,370
Bikes: '80 Masi Gran Criterium, '12 Trek Madone, early '60s Frejus track
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 508 Post(s)
Liked 434 Times
in
331 Posts
QFT. The other night I had a DREAM, in which I was getting a bike fit and the fitter was trying different saddles on for me and she put on one that I found amazingly comfortable and told her so... and then I got off and looked at it and it was some bigass tractor-sized hyper-padded atrocity and thought there was NO WAY I would ever buy such a ridiculous saddle.
Likes For oldbobcat:
#86
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,163
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4271 Post(s)
Liked 4,706 Times
in
2,906 Posts
Well if Geraint Thomas is riding on 28mm wide tyres (as he mentioned in his latest podcast) then I'm guessing they are faster than narrower tyres.
Likes For PeteHski:
#87
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times
in
1,286 Posts
I don't care what type of tires the pros ride...I make my own decisions as to what type of tires I use
Likes For wolfchild:
#88
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Posts: 7,079
Bikes: Cervelo Prodigy
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 475 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 87 Times
in
67 Posts
Anyone who is not racing and doing a 2 hour ride (duration) will also let out some air from the tires.
#89
Senior Member
A lot of talk here about tire width, but what about height?
On my bike-Lynskey R230 rim brake, there is plenty of clearance laterally, but minimal between the top of the tire and underside of the fork. I have had to stop a few times to clear leave, pebbles, etc. Conti 23's are the biggest that fit.
I am looking for new (carbon) wheels and am hoping that wider rims will reduce the "lightbulb effect" and allow me to run bigger tires.
I am hoping to get 59.5 miles of comfort and am willing to concede the 2 city limits sign sprints.
On my bike-Lynskey R230 rim brake, there is plenty of clearance laterally, but minimal between the top of the tire and underside of the fork. I have had to stop a few times to clear leave, pebbles, etc. Conti 23's are the biggest that fit.
I am looking for new (carbon) wheels and am hoping that wider rims will reduce the "lightbulb effect" and allow me to run bigger tires.
I am hoping to get 59.5 miles of comfort and am willing to concede the 2 city limits sign sprints.
#90
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,629
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1217 Post(s)
Liked 1,281 Times
in
653 Posts
A lot of talk here about tire width, but what about height?
On my bike-Lynskey R230 rim brake, there is plenty of clearance laterally, but minimal between the top of the tire and underside of the fork. I have had to stop a few times to clear leave, pebbles, etc. Conti 23's are the biggest that fit.
I am looking for new (carbon) wheels and am hoping that wider rims will reduce the "lightbulb effect" and allow me to run bigger tires.
I am hoping to get 59.5 miles of comfort and am willing to concede the 2 city limits sign sprints.
On my bike-Lynskey R230 rim brake, there is plenty of clearance laterally, but minimal between the top of the tire and underside of the fork. I have had to stop a few times to clear leave, pebbles, etc. Conti 23's are the biggest that fit.
I am looking for new (carbon) wheels and am hoping that wider rims will reduce the "lightbulb effect" and allow me to run bigger tires.
I am hoping to get 59.5 miles of comfort and am willing to concede the 2 city limits sign sprints.
#91
don't try this at home.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: N. KY
Posts: 5,918
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 964 Post(s)
Liked 495 Times
in
342 Posts
A lot of talk here about tire width, but what about height?
On my bike-Lynskey R230 rim brake, there is plenty of clearance laterally, but minimal between the top of the tire and underside of the fork. I have had to stop a few times to clear leave, pebbles, etc. Conti 23's are the biggest that fit.
I am looking for new (carbon) wheels and am hoping that wider rims will reduce the "lightbulb effect" and allow me to run bigger tires.
I am hoping to get 59.5 miles of comfort and am willing to concede the 2 city limits sign sprints.
On my bike-Lynskey R230 rim brake, there is plenty of clearance laterally, but minimal between the top of the tire and underside of the fork. I have had to stop a few times to clear leave, pebbles, etc. Conti 23's are the biggest that fit.
I am looking for new (carbon) wheels and am hoping that wider rims will reduce the "lightbulb effect" and allow me to run bigger tires.
I am hoping to get 59.5 miles of comfort and am willing to concede the 2 city limits sign sprints.
I, too, assumed that a wider rim would make the tire wider but not taller.
This old diagram from HED shows the same tires getting wider and usually a little taller on wider rims. Trace the different colors for the 23mm and compare.
~~~
Continental tires used to be bigger than their nominal sizes -- a 25mm was close to 27mm wide. I think they are more true to size now.
Last edited by rm -rf; 10-21-22 at 09:41 AM.
Likes For rm -rf:
#92
Senior Member
I, too, assumed that a wider rim would make the tire wider but not taller.
This old diagram from HED shows the same tires getting wider and usually a little taller on wider rims. Trace the different colors for the 23mm and compare.
~~~
Continental tires used to be bigger than their nominal sizes -- a 25mm was close to 27mm wide. I think they are more true to size now.
This old diagram from HED shows the same tires getting wider and usually a little taller on wider rims. Trace the different colors for the 23mm and compare.
~~~
Continental tires used to be bigger than their nominal sizes -- a 25mm was close to 27mm wide. I think they are more true to size now.
So, from this diagram, I should look for a narrower rim?