New wheels, new tires (difference between 700x25, 26, & 28?) - Page 4 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

06-15-2004, 02:32 PM

On Mon, 14 Jun 2004 12:10:11 -0400, Roger Zoul wrote:

> I've a heavy rider (240lbs). My current wheels (28 spokes on the rear) have
> 700x26c tires.
>
> I've ordered a new wheelset due to spokes breaking on the rear (36 spokes on
> the rear). I'm thinking of putting 700x25c or 700x28c tires on this
> one...will I notice any significant differences?

Well, the width of tires is somewhat open to interpretation. One
manufacturer's 28 is another's 32, so it is hard to say whether or not you
will notice a difference.

That being said, certainly you will be better off with the 36-spoke
wheels. 24 is "no visible means of support" for someone in your range.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | What is objectionable, and what is dangerous about extremists is
_`\(,_ | not that they are extreme, but that they are intolerant. --Robert
(_)/ (_) | F. Kennedy

06-15-2004, 02:35 PM

On Tue, 15 Jun 2004 18:36:48 +0000, Dennis Ferguson wrote:

> In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].edu>,
> Frank Krygowski <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>>Roger Zoul wrote:
>>
>>> I've a heavy rider (240lbs). My current wheels (28 spokes on the rear) have
>>> 700x26c tires.
>>>
>>> I've ordered a new wheelset due to spokes breaking on the rear (36 spokes on
>>> the rear). I'm thinking of putting 700x25c or 700x28c tires on this
>>> one...will I notice any significant differences?
>>
>>Personally, I'd go with at least 28. If I had your weight, I'd probably
>>look at 32 mm, if it would clear the frame and brakes.
>>
>>A narrow tire might give very slightly less rolling resistance on
>>perfectly smooth roads, but if the road has any significant roughness,
>>you'll probably be better off with a wider tire.
>
> That is not how I understand it. If you take two tires which are
> constructed the same, inflated to the same pressure and placed under
> the same load, the widest tire will be the one with the least rolling
> resistance since it is the tire which will deform the least at the
> contact patch.

Yes, but. Thing is, a bigger tire does not need, and usually is not rated
for, as high a pressure as the skinnier tire. So, riding each tire at the
rated max pressure, the skinny one will have less rolling resistance.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Some people used to claim that, if enough monkeys sat in front of
_`\(,_ | enough typewriters and typed long enough, eventually one of them
(_)/ (_) | would reproduce the collected works of Shakespeare. The
internet has proven this not to be the case.

06-15-2004, 02:35 PM

On Tue, 15 Jun 2004 18:36:48 +0000, Dennis Ferguson wrote:

> In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].edu>,
> Frank Krygowski <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>>Roger Zoul wrote:
>>
>>> I've a heavy rider (240lbs). My current wheels (28 spokes on the rear) have
>>> 700x26c tires.
>>>
>>> I've ordered a new wheelset due to spokes breaking on the rear (36 spokes on
>>> the rear). I'm thinking of putting 700x25c or 700x28c tires on this
>>> one...will I notice any significant differences?
>>
>>Personally, I'd go with at least 28. If I had your weight, I'd probably
>>look at 32 mm, if it would clear the frame and brakes.
>>
>>A narrow tire might give very slightly less rolling resistance on
>>perfectly smooth roads, but if the road has any significant roughness,
>>you'll probably be better off with a wider tire.
>
> That is not how I understand it. If you take two tires which are
> constructed the same, inflated to the same pressure and placed under
> the same load, the widest tire will be the one with the least rolling
> resistance since it is the tire which will deform the least at the
> contact patch.

Yes, but. Thing is, a bigger tire does not need, and usually is not rated
for, as high a pressure as the skinnier tire. So, riding each tire at the
rated max pressure, the skinny one will have less rolling resistance.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Some people used to claim that, if enough monkeys sat in front of
_`\(,_ | enough typewriters and typed long enough, eventually one of them
(_)/ (_) | would reproduce the collected works of Shakespeare. The
internet has proven this not to be the case.

06-15-2004, 02:35 PM

On Tue, 15 Jun 2004 18:36:48 +0000, Dennis Ferguson wrote:

> In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].edu>,
> Frank Krygowski <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>>Roger Zoul wrote:
>>
>>> I've a heavy rider (240lbs). My current wheels (28 spokes on the rear) have
>>> 700x26c tires.
>>>
>>> I've ordered a new wheelset due to spokes breaking on the rear (36 spokes on
>>> the rear). I'm thinking of putting 700x25c or 700x28c tires on this
>>> one...will I notice any significant differences?
>>
>>Personally, I'd go with at least 28. If I had your weight, I'd probably
>>look at 32 mm, if it would clear the frame and brakes.
>>
>>A narrow tire might give very slightly less rolling resistance on
>>perfectly smooth roads, but if the road has any significant roughness,
>>you'll probably be better off with a wider tire.
>
> That is not how I understand it. If you take two tires which are
> constructed the same, inflated to the same pressure and placed under
> the same load, the widest tire will be the one with the least rolling
> resistance since it is the tire which will deform the least at the
> contact patch.

Yes, but. Thing is, a bigger tire does not need, and usually is not rated
for, as high a pressure as the skinnier tire. So, riding each tire at the
rated max pressure, the skinny one will have less rolling resistance.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Some people used to claim that, if enough monkeys sat in front of
_`\(,_ | enough typewriters and typed long enough, eventually one of them
(_)/ (_) | would reproduce the collected works of Shakespeare. The
internet has proven this not to be the case.

06-15-2004, 02:35 PM

On Tue, 15 Jun 2004 18:36:48 +0000, Dennis Ferguson wrote:

> In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].edu>,
> Frank Krygowski <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>>Roger Zoul wrote:
>>
>>> I've a heavy rider (240lbs). My current wheels (28 spokes on the rear) have
>>> 700x26c tires.
>>>
>>> I've ordered a new wheelset due to spokes breaking on the rear (36 spokes on
>>> the rear). I'm thinking of putting 700x25c or 700x28c tires on this
>>> one...will I notice any significant differences?
>>
>>Personally, I'd go with at least 28. If I had your weight, I'd probably
>>look at 32 mm, if it would clear the frame and brakes.
>>
>>A narrow tire might give very slightly less rolling resistance on
>>perfectly smooth roads, but if the road has any significant roughness,
>>you'll probably be better off with a wider tire.
>
> That is not how I understand it. If you take two tires which are
> constructed the same, inflated to the same pressure and placed under
> the same load, the widest tire will be the one with the least rolling
> resistance since it is the tire which will deform the least at the
> contact patch.

Yes, but. Thing is, a bigger tire does not need, and usually is not rated
for, as high a pressure as the skinnier tire. So, riding each tire at the
rated max pressure, the skinny one will have less rolling resistance.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Some people used to claim that, if enough monkeys sat in front of
_`\(,_ | enough typewriters and typed long enough, eventually one of them
(_)/ (_) | would reproduce the collected works of Shakespeare. The
internet has proven this not to be the case.

06-15-2004, 02:35 PM

On Tue, 15 Jun 2004 18:36:48 +0000, Dennis Ferguson wrote:

> In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].edu>,
> Frank Krygowski <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>>Roger Zoul wrote:
>>
>>> I've a heavy rider (240lbs). My current wheels (28 spokes on the rear) have
>>> 700x26c tires.
>>>
>>> I've ordered a new wheelset due to spokes breaking on the rear (36 spokes on
>>> the rear). I'm thinking of putting 700x25c or 700x28c tires on this
>>> one...will I notice any significant differences?
>>
>>Personally, I'd go with at least 28. If I had your weight, I'd probably
>>look at 32 mm, if it would clear the frame and brakes.
>>
>>A narrow tire might give very slightly less rolling resistance on
>>perfectly smooth roads, but if the road has any significant roughness,
>>you'll probably be better off with a wider tire.
>
> That is not how I understand it. If you take two tires which are
> constructed the same, inflated to the same pressure and placed under
> the same load, the widest tire will be the one with the least rolling
> resistance since it is the tire which will deform the least at the
> contact patch.

Yes, but. Thing is, a bigger tire does not need, and usually is not rated
for, as high a pressure as the skinnier tire. So, riding each tire at the
rated max pressure, the skinny one will have less rolling resistance.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Some people used to claim that, if enough monkeys sat in front of
_`\(,_ | enough typewriters and typed long enough, eventually one of them
(_)/ (_) | would reproduce the collected works of Shakespeare. The
internet has proven this not to be the case.

06-15-2004, 07:18 PM

"curt" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:EHJzc.31045$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
>
> "Roger Zoul" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> > Frank Krygowski wrote:
> > :: Roger Zoul wrote:
> > ::
> > ::: I've a heavy rider (240lbs). My current wheels (28 spokes on the
> > ::: rear) have 700x26c tires.
> > :::
> > ::: I've ordered a new wheelset due to spokes breaking on the rear (36
> > ::: spokes on the rear). I'm thinking of putting 700x25c or 700x28c
> > ::: tires on this one...will I notice any significant differences?
> > ::
> > :: Personally, I'd go with at least 28. If I had your weight, I'd
> > :: probably
> > :: look at 32 mm, if it would clear the frame and brakes.
> > ::
> > :: A narrow tire might give very slightly less rolling resistance on
> > :: perfectly smooth roads, but if the road has any significant
> > :: roughness,
> > :: you'll probably be better off with a wider tire.
> > ::
> > :: A wider tire (assuming you inflate it enough) also provides more
> > :: protection from pinch flats or "snake bite" flats.
> >
> > Thanks, Frank. I've already ordered some 26s, but when I current ones
> wear
> > out I'll move to something a bit bigger, if I haven't lost more weight
by
> > then.
>
> I am not sure, but when I replace my 25's, I will be looking at maximum
> pressure. I like to ride a hard tire personally. 120+. I don't like to
> get flats and I have had no problems with my 25's. I have had 20 and even
> 19's many years ago and they were a real pain in the butt. Flats all the
> time.
>
> I guess what I am saying is though, tire pressure is important as well,
> IMHO.

I'm 230-250. I've ridden 25 to 37. The problem with the weight and high
pressure is that it puts a lot of strain on the wheels over bumps. Low
pressure gives flats, high pressure breaks wheels.

Wheels and components and builds come in different qualities. Just like 28c
tires could be very different, so could 36 spoke wheels. Some are very weak,
some, very strong.

Doug

06-15-2004, 07:18 PM

"curt" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:EHJzc.31045$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
>
> "Roger Zoul" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> > Frank Krygowski wrote:
> > :: Roger Zoul wrote:
> > ::
> > ::: I've a heavy rider (240lbs). My current wheels (28 spokes on the
> > ::: rear) have 700x26c tires.
> > :::
> > ::: I've ordered a new wheelset due to spokes breaking on the rear (36
> > ::: spokes on the rear). I'm thinking of putting 700x25c or 700x28c
> > ::: tires on this one...will I notice any significant differences?
> > ::
> > :: Personally, I'd go with at least 28. If I had your weight, I'd
> > :: probably
> > :: look at 32 mm, if it would clear the frame and brakes.
> > ::
> > :: A narrow tire might give very slightly less rolling resistance on
> > :: perfectly smooth roads, but if the road has any significant
> > :: roughness,
> > :: you'll probably be better off with a wider tire.
> > ::
> > :: A wider tire (assuming you inflate it enough) also provides more
> > :: protection from pinch flats or "snake bite" flats.
> >
> > Thanks, Frank. I've already ordered some 26s, but when I current ones
> wear
> > out I'll move to something a bit bigger, if I haven't lost more weight
by
> > then.
>
> I am not sure, but when I replace my 25's, I will be looking at maximum
> pressure. I like to ride a hard tire personally. 120+. I don't like to
> get flats and I have had no problems with my 25's. I have had 20 and even
> 19's many years ago and they were a real pain in the butt. Flats all the
> time.
>
> I guess what I am saying is though, tire pressure is important as well,
> IMHO.

I'm 230-250. I've ridden 25 to 37. The problem with the weight and high
pressure is that it puts a lot of strain on the wheels over bumps. Low
pressure gives flats, high pressure breaks wheels.

Wheels and components and builds come in different qualities. Just like 28c
tires could be very different, so could 36 spoke wheels. Some are very weak,
some, very strong.

Doug

06-15-2004, 07:18 PM

"curt" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:EHJzc.31045$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
>
> "Roger Zoul" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> > Frank Krygowski wrote:
> > :: Roger Zoul wrote:
> > ::
> > ::: I've a heavy rider (240lbs). My current wheels (28 spokes on the
> > ::: rear) have 700x26c tires.
> > :::
> > ::: I've ordered a new wheelset due to spokes breaking on the rear (36
> > ::: spokes on the rear). I'm thinking of putting 700x25c or 700x28c
> > ::: tires on this one...will I notice any significant differences?
> > ::
> > :: Personally, I'd go with at least 28. If I had your weight, I'd
> > :: probably
> > :: look at 32 mm, if it would clear the frame and brakes.
> > ::
> > :: A narrow tire might give very slightly less rolling resistance on
> > :: perfectly smooth roads, but if the road has any significant
> > :: roughness,
> > :: you'll probably be better off with a wider tire.
> > ::
> > :: A wider tire (assuming you inflate it enough) also provides more
> > :: protection from pinch flats or "snake bite" flats.
> >
> > Thanks, Frank. I've already ordered some 26s, but when I current ones
> wear
> > out I'll move to something a bit bigger, if I haven't lost more weight
by
> > then.
>
> I am not sure, but when I replace my 25's, I will be looking at maximum
> pressure. I like to ride a hard tire personally. 120+. I don't like to
> get flats and I have had no problems with my 25's. I have had 20 and even
> 19's many years ago and they were a real pain in the butt. Flats all the
> time.
>
> I guess what I am saying is though, tire pressure is important as well,
> IMHO.

I'm 230-250. I've ridden 25 to 37. The problem with the weight and high
pressure is that it puts a lot of strain on the wheels over bumps. Low
pressure gives flats, high pressure breaks wheels.

Wheels and components and builds come in different qualities. Just like 28c
tires could be very different, so could 36 spoke wheels. Some are very weak,
some, very strong.

Doug

06-15-2004, 07:18 PM

"curt" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:EHJzc.31045$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
>
> "Roger Zoul" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> > Frank Krygowski wrote:
> > :: Roger Zoul wrote:
> > ::
> > ::: I've a heavy rider (240lbs). My current wheels (28 spokes on the
> > ::: rear) have 700x26c tires.
> > :::
> > ::: I've ordered a new wheelset due to spokes breaking on the rear (36
> > ::: spokes on the rear). I'm thinking of putting 700x25c or 700x28c
> > ::: tires on this one...will I notice any significant differences?
> > ::
> > :: Personally, I'd go with at least 28. If I had your weight, I'd
> > :: probably
> > :: look at 32 mm, if it would clear the frame and brakes.
> > ::
> > :: A narrow tire might give very slightly less rolling resistance on
> > :: perfectly smooth roads, but if the road has any significant
> > :: roughness,
> > :: you'll probably be better off with a wider tire.
> > ::
> > :: A wider tire (assuming you inflate it enough) also provides more
> > :: protection from pinch flats or "snake bite" flats.
> >
> > Thanks, Frank. I've already ordered some 26s, but when I current ones
> wear
> > out I'll move to something a bit bigger, if I haven't lost more weight
by
> > then.
>
> I am not sure, but when I replace my 25's, I will be looking at maximum
> pressure. I like to ride a hard tire personally. 120+. I don't like to
> get flats and I have had no problems with my 25's. I have had 20 and even
> 19's many years ago and they were a real pain in the butt. Flats all the
> time.
>
> I guess what I am saying is though, tire pressure is important as well,
> IMHO.

I'm 230-250. I've ridden 25 to 37. The problem with the weight and high
pressure is that it puts a lot of strain on the wheels over bumps. Low
pressure gives flats, high pressure breaks wheels.

Wheels and components and builds come in different qualities. Just like 28c
tires could be very different, so could 36 spoke wheels. Some are very weak,
some, very strong.

Doug