Ironfish653

I’m in the “wider is better” camp. Unless you’re trying to get your commute done with a 18-20mph average, there’s no reason to conflate speed with efficiency.

I don’t know much about the OP’s proposed route, but things like traffic, surface conditions and changes in these along the route may mean that the “fastest” bike configuration might not be the most effective.

When I was commuting to my old job, I found that while I did set the fastest time on my ‘fast’ road bike, my most consistently fast bike, according to my RWGPS tracking, was my XC hard tail MTB, running 1.95” BMX tires. My route had a combination of MUP, street surfaces and “super-sidewalks” with frequent surface transitions, and the big tires allowed the MTB to maintain a moving average speed within 0.5 mph of my road and touring bikes, which clocked significantly higher top speeds; the MTB didn’t have to slow down as much

Stano9

Thanks for all the recommendations so far.

My rims have 20mm internal width and I'm already 260lbs without gear etc. so what would that mean for min width?

FBinNY 

At 260+ pounds, I don't get why you're so focused on MINIMUM width. After all you don't see trucks running on sports car tires.

However the straight answer to your question is something close to 1.5x the 20mm width, ie 30mm or so.

Ideally the mounted tire cross section should resble an omega. That circular section allows the sides to flex and bow out sideways as the center tread depresses against the pavement. When everything is right, you're riding on air, and rolling resistance is minimized.

Stano9

Not sure I get the anolgy, don't sports cars use wide tires.

Thanks for the numbers.

Ironfish653

I’d stay somewhere in the 35-38 range you’ve already got on there.

you can get something light and racy like Gravel Kings or some of the Conti GP or Contact series, or go the other way with any number of the Schwalbe Marathon family or split the difference with a classic touring tire like the Panaracer Paselas.

Given your weight, and that you’re probably going to be carrying some gear, I’d look at some of the beefier touring-oriented options like the Marathon Supreme, something with a little tread, and puncture protection to shrug off the road hazards.

Stano9

Think I'll go with the schwalbe Marathon Plus in 38mm.

t2p

Schwalbe Marathon and Marathon Plus are among the top tires for commuting / durability / flat resistance

the standard Marathon will weigh less and roll better

this past summer met a few long distance bikers that switched to Marathon or Marathon Plus with great results

djb

Hate to tell you, but all this talk about speed and efficiency is totally out of the window if you use a heavy, stiff walled tire like the marathon plus.
You're a big fellow, so wider is always going to be better, but a marathon plus could very well be slower than your stock tires--but if you prioritize flat protection (and that's ok) then forget about speed, efficiency and nicer ride quality.

I have 32 supremes on my faster bike and love the ride feel. Sometimes I have 38 and 50 supremes on my touring bike, same opinion.

Until you ride more flexible tires, you can't imagine how much nicer they ride.
But again, you are nearly twice my weight, so wider is better and can still be fast IF you choose a nice rolling tire, and marathon plus is not this.

Kapusta

Marathons of any variety would not be my choice if speed is what you want. I had a set of Marathon Supremes (forget the size, I think 32mm) and while they were surprisingly and impressively fast for a bomb-proof tire, switching to Compass (now Rene Herse) Bon Jon Pass 35mm ELs was a noticeable improvement in comfort and speed. The tradeoff is that they lack the extra protection of something like a Marathon Supreme.

mattkime

I agree with others that recommend a more supple tire. Yes, flats are a pain but you're unnecessarily slowing yourself down unless you know there are a lot of tire hazards on your way to work.

t2p

@ 260 lbs + most any tire will be 'supple'

and paper thin sidewalls would become a negative

FBinNY 

Suppleness has nothing to do with payload, it's an inherent property of the tire itself. Yes, it's relatively less important with heavier riders, but ANY increase in sidewall stiffness will increase rolling drag.

As for paper thin sidewalls, again not a rider weight related consideration. The structure and pressure rating of the tire is purely a function of the body plies. Rubber is added to the sidewalls purely to protect those body plies from weather and road hazards. Riders riding on paved roads at proper inflation don't need to worry about the sidewalls. However, if you have gum (para) covered sidewalls, be aware that these are subject to UV or weather damage, so periodic inspection may be called for.

IMO- and biased by 50+ years riding tubulars, the best --- most efficient --- tires for road use are the treadless skinside tires offered by the major brands.

tyrion

That's a heavy tire. Just my 2 cents, but I'd go with a tubeless lighter tire. Something like the smooth Gravelkings.

pdlamb

Agree with Frank on this one. You can argue the extra mass of a 260 pound rider gives much more momentum than a 90 pound weakling/climber, but even a clydesdale will notice the additional hysteresis drag of the stiffer tire.