700x23c vs. 700x25c

Its no problem to switch tire sizes with your rims. I switch between 23 and 25mm tires all the time depending on road conditions; that being said, there is probably little to no benefit to riding 23s if you're not racing... but that is another topic that has many devotees in both camps, sure to be archived in here somewhere!

Thanks for the info, i have 23's on my trek and trying to consolidate on spare parts. Also it seems like there are more choices in the 23 range.

Mike Marcin said:

Thanks for the info, i have 23's on my trek and trying to consolidate on spare parts. Also it seems like there are more choices in the 23 range.

Actually there are plenty of 25mm choices. 25mm tires are even making their way into the pro peloton and into the WorldTour. 25mm tires offer several advantages:

• Their larger air volume allows you to run them at a lower pressure, improving ride quality.
• Being able to run them at a lower air pressure increases the size of the contact patch which in turn increase grip, both in the wet and in cornering.
• Inflated to the same pressure, a 25mm tire has a shorter, wider contact patch than a 23mm tire, which results in a lower rolling resistance (assuming the two different sizes are the same model tire).
• Better, more compliant ride quality results in less rider fatigue, which in turn results in better rider performance, longer rides, or both.
• Running a tire at lower pressure reduces the risk of a puncture flat.

23mm tires do offer a smaller presented aero area, but that only provides a pretty minuscule reduction in aero drag.

I would go with the 25c if possible. More comfort, faster roll, better handling, Unless of course you are trying to maximize aerodynamics on an old school narrow rim, the real world benefit of which would be almost negligible.

I remember riding 18 and 20mm tires, now everyone I see is on 23 or 25mm. 25's feel just as fast and I have more confidence in them when cornering hard or in the wet.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by ambal [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

I remember riding 18 and 20mm tires, now everyone I see is on 23 or 25mm. 25's feel just as fast and I have more confidence in them when cornering hard or in the wet.

Me too. There's a little more leeway with tubulars but I remember being all excited to try the new 19c clinchers when they came out in the early 80's thinking they'd be that much better than 21's. They weren't. They were that much worse. Who Knew?