Tyre width 23 v 25

BeepBeep67

Seen this pop up on various other threads, so rather than hijack...

I'm still running the stock Ridley Vredestein Fortezza 23's that came on Fulcrum 7's, swapped them over to Fulcrum 5's last year. No issues with these tyres, run them at 120 psi, couple of punctures over a 3 year period.
But they now need to be changed.

So what's the debate on 23 v 25?
25's more comfortable?
25's better in the Winter?
23's faster, less rolling resistance?

And finally I've seen mention of different psi on 23 v 25.

tnx

hypersonic

not to derail your thread but! I read a recent report comparing tires from science in sport (I think).
to my surprise for poor surfaces fat tires came out way in front, from memory up to 20% better, at least when measuring effort versus distance. apparently all the extra vibration on the skinny tires causes your muscles to work much harder.
the advantage for skinny tires is largely to do with aero rather than rolling resistance.

petethedrummer

25's are comfortabler than the equivalent 23's.

ROK ON

The fastest that I have gone this year in a decent or in a race has been on a 24mm tyre. Vitoria Open Pava. Pumped to 135psi at the back and 125 at front. They take 170 max IIRC. I know that there has been some debate out this year that lower pressure is actually faster.
Very comfy and great grip in wet. Corner fantastically. Rolling resistance is unlike any other tyre than I have been on.
I have gone back too 23mm conti GP4000s and I have no idea why.

Dotsie~tmp

Depends on your weight too! If you are heavy it seems to dampen the hardness out on both but on 23s you had better keep those babies pumped UP.

coastwatch

I think tyre width choice also depends on quality of the road surfaces you're using. I've kept the 25mm "winter tyres" on this summer, for better comfort and tyre life, on the local / non national roads I seem to mostly use. I haven't been too precise with tyre pressure but haven't noticed any "performance" penalty either. I suspect 23mm tires are faster / more efficient on smooth road.

Came across this article on the same topic. Apparently some pro teams have switched to 25mm clinchers this year for a various reasons.

Mycroft H

Some bikes on this years paris-roubaix were using 28mm tyres....