23 v 25 - really much of a difference?

MB Lacey

I ordered a couple of Conti GP4000s tyres for my commuter hybrid, I ordered some 25's thinking they might be a little comfier/ safer for commuting through town etc. than 23's.

Wiggle have sent me some 23's by mistake.
Should I return them for 25's or just keep them?

Lumen

Keep them.

Surveyor11

I run 25 Gatorskins on my commuter, probably as low as I'd like to go TBH for comfort. Depends on length / terrain of commute?

MB Lacey

Terrain pretty good on commute to and from work (only 18k round trip) - all cycle paths.
I often go into town after work though and I'd be worried about the slipiness on the wet roads/ manhole covers etc

petethedrummer

I would return them, for comfort and load carrying reasons.

Returning to wiggle is simple enough and they refund the postage costs.

pprendeville

I find a big difference between 23s and 24s. In my case 24s are way too fat for racing. Very noticeable difference.

Wicklowrider

pprendeville wrote: »

I find a big difference between 23s and 24s. In my case 24s are way too fat for racing. Very noticeable difference.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/05/news/giro-tech-rise-of-the-25c-tire_218011

Hmmzis

pprendeville wrote: »

I find a big difference between 23s and 24s. In my case 24s are way too fat for racing. Very noticeable difference.

Maybe in A1/2/3 fields that can make a difference but in the A4 races that I did my 25mm tires were not a factor at all.

happytramp

Quality of tyre is far more important than the width in my opinion. I've had expensive 21's that are far more comfortable than cheap my 23's or 25's.

happytramp

pprendeville wrote: »

I find a big difference between 23s and 24s. In my case 24s are way too fat for racing. Very noticeable difference.

23mm are on the way out racing wise. All hail the almighty 25mm.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/05/news/giro-tech-rise-of-the-25c-tire_218011

smacl

I prefer 25s to 23s for comfort, running at lower pressure (e.g. 100psi vs 120psi) reduces the amount of road noise transmitted through to your backside and hands. I also think of them as a bit more stable and grippier, but that could be psychological. If I'm going to be using Dublin's cycle lanes, I use the hybrid with 32s, if you do stick with the 23s you're better off on the road and avoid those cycle lanes altogether.

MB Lacey

I've filled out the returns slip and re-packaged them to send back, I felt I was pushing the comfort factor by getting 25's so getting 23's just feels wrong for commuting.
I have the same tyres in 23's on my road bike, but for commuting I dont want to be stressing about tyre pressure, vibrations, pot holes etc.

thanks all.