Croix de Fer tourer project

It depends on the tyre size and the load on the tyre. Weight distribution on a road bike is around 40%:60% front:rear, so your front pressure is probably a bit high compared to the rear and the tyre may not be giving the optimum squish (around 15% compression)- there is a problem with vibration from hard tyres actually slowing you as well as being uncomfortable.

However with your 85psi rear pressure for a 25mm tyre, the same load will compress the tyre similarly to a 32mm tyre with 55psi in it, have a look at this chart: https://www.uaf.edu/files/olli/tire_drop.pdf

As for gravel riding- superb comfort and easy rolling, just remember you the lack of tread means you cannot hoon around corners on a loose surface like on MTB knobblies. Admittedly they are rubbish on wet grass or liquid mud, but you probably realise that...

I'm torn between 28c and 32c. I know 32c is the cool hip thing to do. But the road cyclist in me thinks its nuts.

@niggle - wish those came in gumwall!

As an old-school 23c guy only in recent years road-biking on 25c, I felt the same when my Planet X London Road (commuter/winter/tourer) came with 32c as a minimum. I'm totally used to them now even for unloaded, relatively quick training rides. I tend to pump them up to 65 rear/50 front which feels like plenty, and average riding speed isn't much slower at all.

I'm torn between 28c and 32c. I know 32c is the cool hip thing to do.

I have 28mm on my daily fixed bike and I still think they're too small. I'd go for 32mm.

Just spotted this... looking great! Definitely go 32 (or higher)

I ran 19c clinchers on my skidder a few years ago and was also reluctant to go big(I replaced the 35c on my surly with 23c after the second ride)

Now I have 35 back on the surly but do 90% of my miles on 26x2.0 slicks.
It's amazing. It just feels slower even though it makes no difference in reality.

I tried to be 'scientific' about this a year ago and timed a few of my regular commutes using Vittoria Voyager Hypers in 32mm on a Kaffenback versus 35mm on a Claud Butler Dalesman touring bike. Despite the tourer feeling slower and being about 3kg heavier, it was on average only 1 minute slower over 6 miles, including a couple of hills. I concluded that the tyre sizes probably make no difference at all, except for the bigger ones making the ride smoother over chip & seal tarmac...

I went from alloy road bike with 23mm to steel road/audax with 28mm, to Kaffenback with 32mm and now building Pompino with 32mm. I think for UK tarmac use 32mm will be my minimum from now on, and 35mm minimum for big loads and any off road paths etc.

Alright, 32c it is!

Do you think the Aksium rims can handle the 32c?

Challenge Strada Bianca opens come in 30c. Not sure how delicate they are -- though they look great.

Needs to survive the English countryside.

I'm worried about rim width vs tire width and how that could potentially lead to puncture. How wide are your rims?

Do you think the Aksium rims can handle the 32c?

Sheldon says yes

Conti 4 Seasons can be found in 32C. Not gumwall though.

https://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/26964/Continental_Grand_Prix_4_Season_DuraSkin_Vectran_Folding_Tyre