Tire size for 180 lb rider - Page 3 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

05-14-2004, 01:31 PM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].net>,
David Kerber <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>
>Thanks for the comments. I'm looking at some new wheels and tires for
>fast training rides and racing, while keeping a separate set of
>"everyday" wheels for club rides, commuting, etc. So tire and rim life
>just from normal wear and tear aren't a major issue, but possible
>catastrophic failure at speed is. This set would be for *good roads
>only*.

Well if you care about going fast then the 700x23 is still good, apparently
the very small tire sizes actually have more rolling resistance.

I have been pretty happy with Michelin and it's easy to find them
at deep discounts. I use the Axial Carbon as a training tire and
have the Pro Race on a set of light wheels I use occasionally. Michelin
casings seem tough and stiff to me compared to most other high end
tires which is both good and bad.

I rode many of the Continental tires and find the tread lasts
well for me, harder tread to cut than the Michelins.

I went through Vredestein Fortezza Tri-Comps very quickly as they
cut easily and developed longitudinal cracks between the different
sections of tread... duh! The casing is also wimpy compared to
Michelin, rides nice for 500 miles.

I like Avocets but they are virtually impossible to find at
bike shops.

I recently tried the Trek Bontrager Race Lite tires and found
they also cut easily and did not get many miles from them.

I took a Kenda Koncept on a century ride because I had a piece of
wire embedded in my regular tire that I was having trouble extracting.
The Kenda was a one-ride tire, blew a 2" gash right down the middle of
the tread. Never saw what was stuck in it. They are surprisingly light
and cheap.

05-14-2004, 03:18 PM

On Fri, 14 May 2004 20:31:57 +0000, Paul Southworth wrote:

> Well if you care about going fast then the 700x23 is still good, apparently
> the very small tire sizes actually have more rolling resistance.

Yep, there's quite a bit of info on this, have a google, it's rather
interesting.

I'm assuming you want the skinniest tire you can run safely because of a
desire for speed and low resistance? Wouldn't you want to ride something a
little fatter IF it didn't slow you down? I would, and do. I'm the same
weight as you and usually ride 25s--I'm not saying that's what you should
ride--but personally, they feel just as fast as 20s, but I have a little
more comfort and pinch flat insurance.

You should look into researching what the actual resistance is on
different makes of tires-- once you're in the sub 28mm category, width is
not the biggest factor, design is. From what I've garnered, what causes
resistance is tread "squirm" and sidewall stiffness. So with that logic, a
very supple tire with a high thread count and smoothish tread would be
good. That's why tubulars kicked clincher's butts for many
years--suppleness=fast.

As far as brand, don't ask me, I'm a cheapskate and ride 10-dollar Nashbar
Kevlar belt trainers.

Not bad at all for the buck, and when you cut
one, you toss it without tears.

Happy exploring!

05-14-2004, 03:18 PM

On Fri, 14 May 2004 20:31:57 +0000, Paul Southworth wrote:

> Well if you care about going fast then the 700x23 is still good, apparently
> the very small tire sizes actually have more rolling resistance.

Yep, there's quite a bit of info on this, have a google, it's rather
interesting.

I'm assuming you want the skinniest tire you can run safely because of a
desire for speed and low resistance? Wouldn't you want to ride something a
little fatter IF it didn't slow you down? I would, and do. I'm the same
weight as you and usually ride 25s--I'm not saying that's what you should
ride--but personally, they feel just as fast as 20s, but I have a little
more comfort and pinch flat insurance.

You should look into researching what the actual resistance is on
different makes of tires-- once you're in the sub 28mm category, width is
not the biggest factor, design is. From what I've garnered, what causes
resistance is tread "squirm" and sidewall stiffness. So with that logic, a
very supple tire with a high thread count and smoothish tread would be
good. That's why tubulars kicked clincher's butts for many
years--suppleness=fast.

As far as brand, don't ask me, I'm a cheapskate and ride 10-dollar Nashbar
Kevlar belt trainers.

Not bad at all for the buck, and when you cut
one, you toss it without tears.

Happy exploring!

05-14-2004, 03:18 PM

On Fri, 14 May 2004 20:31:57 +0000, Paul Southworth wrote:

> Well if you care about going fast then the 700x23 is still good, apparently
> the very small tire sizes actually have more rolling resistance.

Yep, there's quite a bit of info on this, have a google, it's rather
interesting.

I'm assuming you want the skinniest tire you can run safely because of a
desire for speed and low resistance? Wouldn't you want to ride something a
little fatter IF it didn't slow you down? I would, and do. I'm the same
weight as you and usually ride 25s--I'm not saying that's what you should
ride--but personally, they feel just as fast as 20s, but I have a little
more comfort and pinch flat insurance.

You should look into researching what the actual resistance is on
different makes of tires-- once you're in the sub 28mm category, width is
not the biggest factor, design is. From what I've garnered, what causes
resistance is tread "squirm" and sidewall stiffness. So with that logic, a
very supple tire with a high thread count and smoothish tread would be
good. That's why tubulars kicked clincher's butts for many
years--suppleness=fast.

As far as brand, don't ask me, I'm a cheapskate and ride 10-dollar Nashbar
Kevlar belt trainers.

Not bad at all for the buck, and when you cut
one, you toss it without tears.

Happy exploring!

05-14-2004, 03:18 PM

On Fri, 14 May 2004 20:31:57 +0000, Paul Southworth wrote:

> Well if you care about going fast then the 700x23 is still good, apparently
> the very small tire sizes actually have more rolling resistance.

Yep, there's quite a bit of info on this, have a google, it's rather
interesting.

I'm assuming you want the skinniest tire you can run safely because of a
desire for speed and low resistance? Wouldn't you want to ride something a
little fatter IF it didn't slow you down? I would, and do. I'm the same
weight as you and usually ride 25s--I'm not saying that's what you should
ride--but personally, they feel just as fast as 20s, but I have a little
more comfort and pinch flat insurance.

You should look into researching what the actual resistance is on
different makes of tires-- once you're in the sub 28mm category, width is
not the biggest factor, design is. From what I've garnered, what causes
resistance is tread "squirm" and sidewall stiffness. So with that logic, a
very supple tire with a high thread count and smoothish tread would be
good. That's why tubulars kicked clincher's butts for many
years--suppleness=fast.

As far as brand, don't ask me, I'm a cheapskate and ride 10-dollar Nashbar
Kevlar belt trainers.

Not bad at all for the buck, and when you cut
one, you toss it without tears.

Happy exploring!

05-14-2004, 03:18 PM

On Fri, 14 May 2004 20:31:57 +0000, Paul Southworth wrote:

> Well if you care about going fast then the 700x23 is still good, apparently
> the very small tire sizes actually have more rolling resistance.

Yep, there's quite a bit of info on this, have a google, it's rather
interesting.

I'm assuming you want the skinniest tire you can run safely because of a
desire for speed and low resistance? Wouldn't you want to ride something a
little fatter IF it didn't slow you down? I would, and do. I'm the same
weight as you and usually ride 25s--I'm not saying that's what you should
ride--but personally, they feel just as fast as 20s, but I have a little
more comfort and pinch flat insurance.

You should look into researching what the actual resistance is on
different makes of tires-- once you're in the sub 28mm category, width is
not the biggest factor, design is. From what I've garnered, what causes
resistance is tread "squirm" and sidewall stiffness. So with that logic, a
very supple tire with a high thread count and smoothish tread would be
good. That's why tubulars kicked clincher's butts for many
years--suppleness=fast.

As far as brand, don't ask me, I'm a cheapskate and ride 10-dollar Nashbar
Kevlar belt trainers.

Not bad at all for the buck, and when you cut
one, you toss it without tears.

Happy exploring!

05-14-2004, 03:49 PM

What is the deal...ride 15,000 a year? Less? Conti GP 3000 23's seem the
best from my perspective.

"maxo" <maxo@NOSPAMhome.se> wrote in message
news

an.2004.05.14.22.18.11.470175@NOSPAMhome.se. ..
> On Fri, 14 May 2004 20:31:57 +0000, Paul Southworth wrote:
>
> > Well if you care about going fast then the 700x23 is still good,
apparently
> > the very small tire sizes actually have more rolling resistance.
>
> Yep, there's quite a bit of info on this, have a google, it's rather
> interesting.
>
> I'm assuming you want the skinniest tire you can run safely because of a
> desire for speed and low resistance? Wouldn't you want to ride something a
> little fatter IF it didn't slow you down? I would, and do. I'm the same
> weight as you and usually ride 25s--I'm not saying that's what you should
> ride--but personally, they feel just as fast as 20s, but I have a little
> more comfort and pinch flat insurance.
>
> You should look into researching what the actual resistance is on
> different makes of tires-- once you're in the sub 28mm category, width is
> not the biggest factor, design is. From what I've garnered, what causes
> resistance is tread "squirm" and sidewall stiffness. So with that logic, a
> very supple tire with a high thread count and smoothish tread would be
> good. That's why tubulars kicked clincher's butts for many
> years--suppleness=fast.
>
> As far as brand, don't ask me, I'm a cheapskate and ride 10-dollar Nashbar
> Kevlar belt trainers.

Not bad at all for the buck, and when you cut
> one, you toss it without tears.
>
> Happy exploring!
>

05-14-2004, 03:49 PM

What is the deal...ride 15,000 a year? Less? Conti GP 3000 23's seem the
best from my perspective.

"maxo" <maxo@NOSPAMhome.se> wrote in message
news

an.2004.05.14.22.18.11.470175@NOSPAMhome.se. ..
> On Fri, 14 May 2004 20:31:57 +0000, Paul Southworth wrote:
>
> > Well if you care about going fast then the 700x23 is still good,
apparently
> > the very small tire sizes actually have more rolling resistance.
>
> Yep, there's quite a bit of info on this, have a google, it's rather
> interesting.
>
> I'm assuming you want the skinniest tire you can run safely because of a
> desire for speed and low resistance? Wouldn't you want to ride something a
> little fatter IF it didn't slow you down? I would, and do. I'm the same
> weight as you and usually ride 25s--I'm not saying that's what you should
> ride--but personally, they feel just as fast as 20s, but I have a little
> more comfort and pinch flat insurance.
>
> You should look into researching what the actual resistance is on
> different makes of tires-- once you're in the sub 28mm category, width is
> not the biggest factor, design is. From what I've garnered, what causes
> resistance is tread "squirm" and sidewall stiffness. So with that logic, a
> very supple tire with a high thread count and smoothish tread would be
> good. That's why tubulars kicked clincher's butts for many
> years--suppleness=fast.
>
> As far as brand, don't ask me, I'm a cheapskate and ride 10-dollar Nashbar
> Kevlar belt trainers.

Not bad at all for the buck, and when you cut
> one, you toss it without tears.
>
> Happy exploring!
>

05-14-2004, 03:49 PM

What is the deal...ride 15,000 a year? Less? Conti GP 3000 23's seem the
best from my perspective.

"maxo" <maxo@NOSPAMhome.se> wrote in message
news

an.2004.05.14.22.18.11.470175@NOSPAMhome.se. ..
> On Fri, 14 May 2004 20:31:57 +0000, Paul Southworth wrote:
>
> > Well if you care about going fast then the 700x23 is still good,
apparently
> > the very small tire sizes actually have more rolling resistance.
>
> Yep, there's quite a bit of info on this, have a google, it's rather
> interesting.
>
> I'm assuming you want the skinniest tire you can run safely because of a
> desire for speed and low resistance? Wouldn't you want to ride something a
> little fatter IF it didn't slow you down? I would, and do. I'm the same
> weight as you and usually ride 25s--I'm not saying that's what you should
> ride--but personally, they feel just as fast as 20s, but I have a little
> more comfort and pinch flat insurance.
>
> You should look into researching what the actual resistance is on
> different makes of tires-- once you're in the sub 28mm category, width is
> not the biggest factor, design is. From what I've garnered, what causes
> resistance is tread "squirm" and sidewall stiffness. So with that logic, a
> very supple tire with a high thread count and smoothish tread would be
> good. That's why tubulars kicked clincher's butts for many
> years--suppleness=fast.
>
> As far as brand, don't ask me, I'm a cheapskate and ride 10-dollar Nashbar
> Kevlar belt trainers.

Not bad at all for the buck, and when you cut
> one, you toss it without tears.
>
> Happy exploring!
>

05-14-2004, 03:49 PM

What is the deal...ride 15,000 a year? Less? Conti GP 3000 23's seem the
best from my perspective.

"maxo" <maxo@NOSPAMhome.se> wrote in message
news

an.2004.05.14.22.18.11.470175@NOSPAMhome.se. ..
> On Fri, 14 May 2004 20:31:57 +0000, Paul Southworth wrote:
>
> > Well if you care about going fast then the 700x23 is still good,
apparently
> > the very small tire sizes actually have more rolling resistance.
>
> Yep, there's quite a bit of info on this, have a google, it's rather
> interesting.
>
> I'm assuming you want the skinniest tire you can run safely because of a
> desire for speed and low resistance? Wouldn't you want to ride something a
> little fatter IF it didn't slow you down? I would, and do. I'm the same
> weight as you and usually ride 25s--I'm not saying that's what you should
> ride--but personally, they feel just as fast as 20s, but I have a little
> more comfort and pinch flat insurance.
>
> You should look into researching what the actual resistance is on
> different makes of tires-- once you're in the sub 28mm category, width is
> not the biggest factor, design is. From what I've garnered, what causes
> resistance is tread "squirm" and sidewall stiffness. So with that logic, a
> very supple tire with a high thread count and smoothish tread would be
> good. That's why tubulars kicked clincher's butts for many
> years--suppleness=fast.
>
> As far as brand, don't ask me, I'm a cheapskate and ride 10-dollar Nashbar
> Kevlar belt trainers.

Not bad at all for the buck, and when you cut
> one, you toss it without tears.
>
> Happy exploring!
>