Is there much of a difference between 25mm and 23 mm tires?

Subject: RE: Is there much of a difference between 25mm and 23 mm tires?

If it fits a 25mm, it'll take a 23mm without any changes. No, you don't need to change rims or anything else.

The other way may or may not work. My bike doesn't fit a 25mm on the front with the stock brake caliper.

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Subject: RE: Is there much of a difference between 25mm and 23 mm tires?

DanielG - 2009-08-20 10:39 AM If it fits a 25mm, it'll take a 23mm without any changes. No, you don't need to change rims or anything else. The other way may or may not work. My bike doesn't fit a 25mm on the front with the stock brake caliper.

Thanks. My bike has 25's on it right now. What about performance between the two sizes? It would seem to be a little less rolling resistance and I see that some 23's require 125 psi?

Both the front and the rear hold a max of 100psi but I honestly have to check them and add about 10psi before each run. I wouldn't mind replacing them with a 23 if there may be a little performance gain. Then I could keep the 25s, patch them, and use them for the bulk of my training. If there is no performance gain then there is no point in changing them.

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Pro

3705

Vestavia Hills

Subject: RE: Is there much of a difference between 25mm and 23 mm tires?

There is some controversy as to which provides a better roll and therefore performance. (Ask this on Slowtwitch that other website and be prepared to be "Power Crank-ed"!)

Instead of worrying about that, it is by far more beneficial at our amateur level to focus on the bigger picture ... the engine that make the tires go around and around

To wit, I saw a guy on a single speed 1970's steel frame bike keep pace with a dozen or so of us pushing 20+ mph on our carbon fiber tri-bikes while doing a preview ride of the Augusta 70.3 bike course two weeks ago.

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Subject: RE: Is there much of a difference between 25mm and 23 mm tires?

My guess is you'll not notice any/much difference. I'm sure there is some difference but I've found most things make less difference to me than whether I sit up for 30 seconds or 10 minutes during a ride.

Pressure completely depends on what the tire manufacturer says on the tire.

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5376

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Subject: RE: Is there much of a difference between 25mm and 23 mm tires?

brian - 2009-08-20 10:55 AM There is some controversy as to which provides a better roll and therefore performance. (Ask this on Slowtwitch that other website and be prepared to be "Power Crank-ed"!)

Instead of worrying about that, it is by far more beneficial at our amateur level to focus on the bigger picture ... the engine that make the tires go around and around

To wit, I saw a guy on a single speed 1970's steel frame bike keep pace with a dozen or so of us pushing 20+ mph on our carbon fiber tri-bikes while doing a preview ride of the Augusta 70.3 bike course two weeks ago.

Sure, that's a given but understand that I'm at a point where I have to remove the tires anyway so the reason behind the question is more about being sensuous... "Sensuous gonna take em off, shouldya upgrade em whilsya at it?"

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Pro

6582

Melbourne FL

Gold member

Subject: RE: Is there much of a difference between 25mm and 23 mm tires?

Thanks. My bike has 25's on it right now. What about performance between the two sizes? It would seem to be a little less rolling resistance and I see that some 23's require 125 psi?

Both the front and the rear hold a max of 100psi but I honestly have to check them and add about 10psi before each run. I wouldn't mind replacing them with a 23 if there may be a little performance gain. Then I could keep the 25s, patch them, and use them for the bulk of my training. If there is no performance gain then there is no point in changing them.

It's not all that simple. Factors in how much you weigh, etc come into play. Take a look at the Sheldon Brown website, lots of good info there. Also here's an article regarding tire pressures.

My Race Log

Champion

5376

PA

Subject: RE: Is there much of a difference between 25mm and 23 mm tires?

Donto - 2009-08-20 11:31 AM

Thanks. My bike has 25's on it right now. What about performance between the two sizes? It would seem to be a little less rolling resistance and I see that some 23's require 125 psi?

Both the front and the rear hold a max of 100psi but I honestly have to check them and add about 10psi before each run. I wouldn't mind replacing them with a 23 if there may be a little performance gain. Then I could keep the 25s, patch them, and use them for the bulk of my training. If there is no performance gain then there is no point in changing them.

It's not all that simple. Factors in how much you weigh, etc come into play. Take a look at the Sheldon Brown website, lots of good info there. Also here's an article regarding tire pressures.

The tire pressures article is well written. I knew about tire pressure from drag racing but never gave it much thought on a bicycle. We were more concerned about it for traction reasons.

Sounds like I'm fine just sticking with 25's since I'm 218lbs:

"Heavier riders (fat and slow Clydes) will usually benefit from slightly higher tire pressures than lighter riders (girly men) – often in the 110-130psi range with most clincher tires. Bigger riders may want to also consider riding a slightly wider tire (say a 700×25 instead of a 700×23). This can increase comfort while actually decreasing rolling resistance."

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Pro

6582

Melbourne FL

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Subject: RE: Is there much of a difference between 25mm and 23 mm tires?

Pector55 - 2009-08-20 11:53 AM

Donto - 2009-08-20 11:31 AM

Thanks. My bike has 25's on it right now. What about performance between the two sizes? It would seem to be a little less rolling resistance and I see that some 23's require 125 psi?

Both the front and the rear hold a max of 100psi but I honestly have to check them and add about 10psi before each run. I wouldn't mind replacing them with a 23 if there may be a little performance gain. Then I could keep the 25s, patch them, and use them for the bulk of my training. If there is no performance gain then there is no point in changing them.

It's not all that simple. Factors in how much you weigh, etc come into play. Take a look at the Sheldon Brown website, lots of good info there. Also here's an article regarding tire pressures.

The tire pressures article is well written. I knew about tire pressure from drag racing but never gave it much thought on a bicycle. We were more concerned about it for traction reasons.

Sounds like I'm fine just sticking with 25's since I'm 218lbs:

"Heavier riders (fat and slow Clydes) will usually benefit from slightly higher tire pressures than lighter riders (girly men) – often in the 110-130psi range with most clincher tires. Bigger riders may want to also consider riding a slightly wider tire (say a 700×25 instead of a 700×23). This can increase comfort while actually decreasing rolling resistance."

And not all tires are the same, you pay for what you get!

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Master

1641

Seattle, California

Subject: RE: Is there much of a difference between 25mm and 23 mm tires?

23's will be faster, 25's will be more comfortable assuming you use the right air pressures for each tire. Some pro riders will ride up 27's on really rough courses to smooth out the ride. The difference in speed though isn't going to be major and if you want you can always switch out to 23's for races and keep your 25's for training.

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Payson, AZ

Subject: RE: Is there much of a difference between 25mm and 23 mm tires?

brian - 2009-08-20 7:55 AM

To wit, I saw a guy on a single speed 1970's steel frame bike keep pace with a dozen or so of us pushing 20+ mph on our carbon fiber tri-bikes while doing a preview ride of the Augusta 70.3 bike course two weeks ago.

Hum, how was the course (to hijack the thread a bit)? I was planning on that race next year but will not be able to pre-ride the course.

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Is there much of a difference between 25mm and 23 mm tires?

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