23c or 25c road tyres

ipodrocker

Hi all,

General question much difference between 23c & 25c (apart from the size) wondering on which size to buy for my road bike.

gypsy79

Comfort...the bigger they tyre the less bumps you will feel

There is also arguments over speeds been different which depends on bike, your weight, weather and loads other factors

If not racing then go 25

Wishbone Ash

Little bit of extra comfort in the 25's. (Have you enough clearance for them?)

Stark

I'd go for 25c. More comfortable, puncture resistant and apparently faster too (old thinking was the narrower, the less rolling resistance but it seems the sweet spot is actually between 25c and 28c).

Brian?

I found zero difference in comfort between 23s and 25s. I prefer 25s for the grip in winter.

My summer bike will always have 23s. Unless I get wheels that are more aero with 25s.

Brian?

Stark wrote: »

I'd go for 25c. More comfortable, puncture resistant and apparently faster too (old thinking was the narrower, the less rolling resistance but it seems the sweet spot is actually between 25c and 28c).

“Faster” depends on the rim they’re fitted to.

talkabout

28 if they fit. i moved to 28 from 25 this year and they don't appear to be slower, but do give a bit more comfort.

benneca1

On bad roads it is generally accepted bigger tyres are faster and of course more comfortable So really depends where you cycle most. Me I train on big tyres and use narrower for events

ted1

I’ve gone to 28, feels more stable and haven’t noticed any difference in speed

ipodrocker

sounds like 25c is the way to go, not sure if 28c would fit, would the wheelset tell me this?

km991148

I was always 23 @ 115+ psi until last bike came with 25s and I keep them around 90-100psi.

I've just bought another pair of 25s (going to swap them downstream, i.e slightly used 25s on older bike and new 25s on newest).

I notice no difference in speed* but comfort is better.

*Arguably 25s or 28s at lower pressures can (somewhat counterintuitively) be faster, especially on uneven road surfaces.

ipodrocker

racing is not a factor for me, mainly for fitness and general spins.

km991148

ipodrocker wrote: »

sounds like 25c is the way to go, not sure if 28c would fit, would the wheelset tell me this?

I guess the concern is more likely to be around frame clearance.

The wheelset will more than likely take them, but no hard and fast rule as some tyres are 'looser' or tighter at the same widths.

What bike/ wheels are we talking about?

ipodrocker

km991148 wrote: »

I guess the concern is more likely to be around frame clearance.

The wheelset will more than likely take them, but no hard and fast rule as some tyres are 'looser' or tighter at the same widths.

What bike/ wheels are we talking about?

I have Ghost Race Lector 7000 with Easton 700 wheelset

gypsy79

ipodrocker wrote: »

racing is not a factor for me, mainly for fitness and general spins.

sounds like your question should have been 25 or 28 (if allowed)

The heavier you are then more likely recommend 28

Paul Kiernan

I'd go for the biggest you have clearance for, even if that's 32.

Mr. Cats

I normally go with 28 at 85psi. For longer spins I find the wider tyre with lower inflation is much more comfortable and so I’m less tired towards the end.

Tyre pressure level is probably the biggest determinant of overall comfort. Bigger tyres can generally be run at lower pressure than skinnier tyres.

The impact on overall speed is complex. Ratio of tyre width to rim width affects aerodynamics. Different tyre pressures may be faster over different road conditions.

Basically if you’re not racing I would recommend to go with the largest tyre that fits. Normally it’s the frame and brake clearance rather than the wheel that impacts this (wheels usually same size). 25 fits on lots of bikes, 28 on many but not always. If you know someone with 28 tyres on, try fitting their wheels to your frame and you’ll get a good idea if will work (no need to switch tyres).

ipodrocker

Mr. Cats wrote: »

I normally go with 28 at 85psi. For longer spins I find the wider tyre with lower inflation is much more comfortable and so I’m less tired towards the end.

Tyre pressure level is probably the biggest determinant of overall comfort. Bigger tyres can generally be run at lower pressure than skinnier tyres.

The impact on overall speed is complex. Ratio of tyre width to rim width affects aerodynamics. Different tyre pressures may be faster over different road conditions.

Basically if you’re not racing I would recommend to go with the largest tyre that fits. Normally it’s the frame and brake clearance rather than the wheel that impacts this (wheels usually same size). 25 fits on lots of bikes, 28 on many but not always. If you know someone with 28 tyres on, try fitting their wheels to your frame and you’ll get a good idea if will work (no need to switch tyres).

Nice recommendation, so 28 if they fit otherwise 25.

thanks!

Paul Kiernan

For what it's worth I'm currently using these tyres on the road. They're 38 or 40 wide! They're so comfortable, grippy and fast.

loyatemu

switched from 23s to 25s a couple of years ago, and to 28s this year (the 28s only just fit)
big difference in comfort and stability, no difference in speed over bumpy Wicklow roads (I'm not that concerned about speed anyway).
Definitely moving onto a gravel bike next.

ipodrocker

this is clearance on front, I think 28c will work ?

Brian?

ipodrocker wrote: »

this is clearance on front, I think 28c will work ?

I don’t think so

Wishbone Ash

Brian? wrote: »

I don’t think so

There's loads of room there.

Brian?

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

There's loads of room there.

I don’t think so, maybe it’s confirmation bias because I believe 28s on a road bike look horrendous

DaveyDave

I ran 23c for a few years because they were lighter. I went to 25c due to size availability. I honestly couldn't say I noticed any difference in comfort. I usually run high pressures though and I like road feel.

I hear 25 is faster, not sure how true that is. As someone who doesn't race I wouldn't benefit from whatever gains one has over the other. Just get yourself a quality tyre that rolls nice!

km991148

DaveyDave wrote: »

I ran 23c for a few years because they were lighter. I went to 25c due to size availability. I honestly couldn't say I noticed any difference in comfort. I usually run high pressures though and I like road feel.

I hear 25 is faster, not sure how true that is. As someone who doesn't race I wouldn't benefit from whatever gains one has over the other. Just get yourself a quality tyre that rolls nice!

I think for wider to be 'faster' you also (slightly counterintuitively) need to drop the pressure a bit.

Something to do with how the tyre bounces along a rough road. On a perfectly smooth surface, I think high pressure 23 is still best.

Wishbone Ash

ipodrocker wrote: »

this is clearance on front, I think 28c will work ?

Off topic but do you realise your brake caliper is 'open'?

Mr. Cats

It’s looks to me like there’s probably clearance for 28s as well but it’s hard to be definite. Don’t forget to check clearance on rear at brake but also at seat tube and seat stays.

I think higher pressures feel faster as there’s more road feel and you’ve less cushioning for all the bumps and potholes etc. This is why many people think higher pressure is faster. Lower pressures have lower rolling resistance so are generally faster with the added bonus of the extra comfort keeping you fresher for longer.

MojoMaker

Only down to a point. When you go below the sweet spot the performance drops off alarmingly.

The trouble is, most riders don't know what the tyre-specific sweet spot is.

ipodrocker

my main aim is more comfort vs speed, and roads around where I go for spins seems to like giving me flats! so thought switch from 23c to either 25c or 28x for comfort.

Derrydingle

Interesting subject I know people say less psi in the 25s is best for comfort and speed, but anytime a pro is asked what psi they are using for the race it always seems to be high

km991148

Derrydingle wrote: »

Interesting subject I know people say less psi in the 25s is best for comfort and speed, but anytime a pro is asked what psi they are using for the race it always seems to be high

Yeah, but anytime a pro race is in town, the worst of the roads are resurfaced, don't often have to put up with the day to day you normally see!

Mr. Cats

MojoMaker wrote: »

Only down to a point. When you go below the sweet spot the performance drops off alarmingly.

The trouble is, most riders don't know what the tyre-specific sweet spot is.

Yes agreed. Also, too low and you risk pinch flats when you get the tube being compressed between rim and tyre. I run gp5000 at 80-85 which seems to work fine for me.

Mr. Cats

ipodrocker wrote: »

my main aim is more comfort vs speed, and roads around where I go for spins seems to like giving me flats! so thought switch from 23c to either 25c or 28x for comfort.

I have a set of brand new Continental gp5000s 25’s that I’ve fitted to a wheelset but the wheels haven’t left the house yet. Since fitting them I’ve seen that there’s clearance in frame for 28s. If you want, you could get some 28s for your bike to see if they fit. If they don’t fit I’d be willing to swap my 25s for the 28s. They’d have to be same brand and make of tyre for the swap though as I’m not interested in other tyres. The GP5000’s would need to match your own preferences etc so no worries if it doesn't suit.

Wishbone Ash

Derrydingle wrote: »

Interesting subject I know people say less psi in the 25s is best for comfort and speed, but anytime a pro is asked what psi they are using for the race it always seems to be high

km991148 wrote: »

Yeah, but anytime a pro race is in town, the worst of the roads are resurfaced, don't often have to put up with the day to day you normally see!

....and comfort wouldn't be a priority for a pro racer.

DaveyDave

ipodrocker wrote: »

my main aim is more comfort vs speed, and roads around where I go for spins seems to like giving me flats! so thought switch from 23c to either 25c or 28x for comfort.

If you're prone to getting punctures just make sure the tyres are at the correct pressure and maybe look into something with a bit of puncture resistance like the Gatorskins, Durano Plus, Michelin Pro4 Endurance etc.

ipodrocker

Mr. Cats wrote: »

I have a set of brand new Continental gp5000s 25’s that I’ve fitted to a wheelset but the wheels haven’t left the house yet. Since fitting them I’ve seen that there’s clearance in frame for 28s. If you want, you could get some 28s for your bike to see if they fit. If they don’t fit I’d be willing to swap my 25s for the 28s. They’d have to be same brand and make of tyre for the swap though as I’m not interested in other tyres. The GP5000’s would need to match your own preferences etc so no worries if it doesn't suit.

thanks for suggestion haven't decided on new tyres yet, I have old gp4000s which are 23c and want new set more strong!

ipodrocker

DaveyDave wrote: »

If you're prone to getting punctures just make sure the tyres are at the correct pressure and maybe look into something with a bit of puncture resistance like the Gatorskins, Durano Plus, Michelin Pro4 Endurance etc.

I've been looking at conti 4 seasons or gatorskins just undecided so far plus finding stock!!!

Brian?

ipodrocker wrote: »

I've been looking at conti 4 seasons or gatorskins just undecided so far plus finding stock!!!

Don’t get gatorskins. Unless they’ve changed the compound they’re **** in the wet.

Brian?

Serious value:

https://www.bike24.com/p25833.html

Mr. Cats

ipodrocker wrote: »

I've been looking at conti 4 seasons or gatorskins just undecided so far plus finding stock!!!

4 seasons are a fantastic year round tyre in fairness

rolling boh

think you will find nearly all will rate 4 seasons much higher than gators

ipodrocker

conti 4 seasons it is! hopefully get stock off one of sites soon!!