Tyre / Tire width

How did tyres get to be 700c? IIUC the narrower the better. Have there been narrower tyres in the past? Is it impractical to reduce the width any further?

What?

:s

If you're asking if 23c is worth going any narrower, the answer is no, not on the road.

lol.
700x23c seems to be a good compromise between speed and comfort.
You could try riding 700x20c or track tyres on the road but I guarantee you don't like it.

700c is the diameter of the wheel not the width.

Schwalbe have an informative technical document about tyres, sizing conventions, rolling resistance and everything else tyre related here.

Schwalbe tech info

PS anyone using Ultremos? Comments?

i dont use ultremos but i have a comment: pointless using such pricey tyres for city riding. i think it's only good for pros doing pro races.

schwalbe=the shizzle

gatorskin=the bizzle

if it wasn't for those pesky kids i would have got away with it....

bontys=the rizzle

I know.

pushed it till it broke

someone asked about tire width and we give him this! brilliant!

700 = the sprintzle

Q - Why does snoop dogg usually wear a hat?
A - Because of the Vittoria Rubino Pros
(Vittoria Rubino Pros = The Drizzle)

i recently found an old tyre from my first road bike - from about 20 years ago. the tyre was a 700x20 and was pretty standard then. now things seem to be about 700x23. i recently tried some 700x25 but they are cheaper (vittoria rubino) so it is difficult to say how they compare.

thing is, a lot of people talk about wider tyres being more efficient and rolling better. the best feeling tyres i have used are either vittoria open corsa (23) or the new conti gp4000s (23 also). i have also used tubs (vittoria corsa).

so in your experience what is your favourite feeling tyre and what size?

Depends what your using the tyre for and what width rim you have innit.

Racing on tarmac with a narrow rim (e.g. Mavic Open Pro) i havent found better than a Michelin Pro 3 Race 23mm (I've not tried the Pro 4 yet) but there are so many to choose from and i've nerver dabbled with tubs.

I like the feel of Ultremo ZX (23c @ 110-120psi) which I find very smooth and feels like it rolls effortlessly, and the Bontrager race silica (not the hard case, not quite sure but think it's this one http://www.thebikefactory.co.uk/productdetails.asp?productid=56108 or this http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/wheels-c90/road-tyres-c209/tire-bontrager-race-xxx-lite-700x22-black-p197587?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=bontrager-race-xxx-lite-700-x-22c-folding-road-tyre-2012-colour-black-colour-blackwall-size-700-x-22-folding-dex425637&utm_campaign=froogle#240260) which feels fast and smooth (110-120psi 23c) but not so comfortable. (both run on open pros and some chinese crabons)

Also been running 28c hardshells on the commuter/rainy day bike at around 85-90psi (I'm 16 1/2 stone) which I find quite comfortable, I know alot of people aren't fans of gatorskins though. Not sure on rim width but they are on the Boardman CX so quite wide...

That last bit is pretty unconclusive I know.

fave tyre: Wolber Neo-Pro, think they were about 18 wide. these were fairly budget tubs i used back in the late 70s.

fave clincher: £4 made in India gumwall tyres i use on my 1952 track bike. they only go up to 90psi but they're 20 wide and feel great. (bought on eBay)

On my road bike, I'm running Michelin 23mm Pro Race 3 on front and a 25mm Pro Race optimum or something on rear, with latex tubes. found none nicer, athough haven't tried the fancy vittorias or veloflex. Haven't tried tubs but tempted to when I wear out my existing wheels.

Reminded me I've got a pair of Veloflex on the shelf for when I next make it to the track, too nice to risk cutting up on the roads....

borough CX on the pomp (32mm)
vittoria rubbino on the mincer (25mm)

only really riding the pomp at the moment as it has mud guards .

Both sets of tyres seem fine .. I am a fan on the Borough CX 32mm. I think that they have been dis continued ..

Best tyre for what purpose?

My faves are:-

• 23mm Michelin Pro Races on the road bike.
  
• Vittoria Corsa CX 21mm tubulars on the time trial machine.
  
• 25mm Gatorskins on the commuter (virtually bombproof).
  

don't you find gatorskins slippery? I've had a few sets and they always feel skiddy and slippy - exactly what I don't want on a commuter/winter bike which is what they seemed to be marketed at.

Slippery on wet grates and moss for sure, and at times when climbing out of the saddle. I mainly use them for commuting because of the peace of mind on the puncture front, and on the back of the fixeh skidda for the durability.