Tires in the TdF

Anyone?

sopas said:

Anyone?

I think we just don't know.

Most are tubulars and don't really corelate exactly to your clinchers. They are probably running between 21 and 23. Time trials are thinner.

Oh! OK, thanks.
I was just curious about it as most of my friends ride with 700 x 23 tires but I have 700 x 25C tires.

sopas said:

Oh! OK, thanks.
I was just curious about it as most of my friends ride with 700 x 23 tires but I have 700 x 25C tires.

They mostly use 23mm, from what I've heard. I think this would be common in most stages of a stage race.

In my experience, a good, high-quality 23 mm clincher (like with a true TPI of 127 or higher) rides just as smoothly as most 25 mm tires of lesser quality if not better, assuming it isn't inflated rock-hard. But this is for sport riding. Someone who commutes over a lot of broken surfaces might want a wider tire.

I personally think that when it comes to buying a tire, it doesn't pay to be penny-wise and pound foolish. Every fine road bike deserves the best tire you can afford. This is probably the one thing that makes the most difference on a bike. There are some high quality tires that are also durable, so it doesn't have to be an all-out racing tire. I've used both 23 and 25, and also 28. I prefer 23 overall. I don't mind 25 mm, but good tires in that width seem hard to find in the real world, even though the manufacturers do make them.

THanks for your great reply.

I have Bontrager Select 700 x 25C tires on my Trek 1.2 bike. They feel great so far and since I dont participate in races (I just ride for fun and keep fit myself), I guess I am doing right with those.

By the way, according to the info on my tires they should be inflated to 100 psi. Is there any way to know approximately how much is 100 psi without one of those pumps that tell you the pressure? A 23 tire should be inflated to more that 100 psi, right?

Thanks again.

sopas said:

THanks for your great reply.

I have Bontrager Select 700 x 25C tires on my Trek 1.2 bike. They feel great so far and since I dont participate in races (I just ride for fun and keep fit myself), I guess I am doing right with those.

By the way, according to the info on my tires they should be inflated to 100 psi. Is there any way to know approximately how much is 100 psi without one of those pumps that tell you the pressure? A 23 tire should be inflated to more that 100 psi, right?

Thanks again.

There's probably no reason to buy new tires until your current ones wear out, but once they do, you can have the fun of deciding what you want to try. Personally, I like to get as close to a tubular tire-like ride as I can, while still using clinchers, but I also don't want to flat every five minutes. The best compromise is usually what racing tire manufacturers call a "training tire", and the highest quality one the company makes is usually pretty close to being as good as their best racing tire. You can tell these because they won't have any tread. As you go down the line, tires acquire tread because manufacturers fear the average consumer won't buy a tire that has no tread on it (it's a misconception that road bicycle tires need tread). I will never again ride a slug tire with the super resistant flat protection. Thanks but no thanks. I would rather get a flat every once in a while than ride one of those. Those things are S-L-O-W. But again, let me emphasize that I ride for the sport of it. Might be different if I was commuting (but then I would do it on another bike, not my custom-made road bike). I don't race, but I want to get the sportiest ride I can for the effort I put in.

The psi rating on the side of the tire is NOT the pressure recommended for any given individual. It's more a theoretical maximum which the manufacturer recommends you don't go above, so that your tire doesn't pop off the rim. Some tires also state a minimum pressure. What pressure you need for normal riding depends on your weight. For example, I inflate my 23mm tires to 100 psi, but then, I only weigh about 135-140 lbs. When I was riding 25mm, I inflated to 90 psi. Michelin has a good guide about this on their website:

michelinbicycletire.comindex.cfmOpen ↗

No, there's no way to tell tire pressure without a gauge of some kind. The most convenient is a track pump which has a gauge on it. Or you can buy a separate gauge. For your on-bike pump, you don't need any. After repairing a flat on the road, most of us just guess - usually it's just a matter of putting in as much pressure as you can with the pump anyway.

Thanks again.

I weight about 165 lbs so according to the chart you linked to 100 psi on 700 x 25 tires would be more or less fine. Until recently I never worried about the tires pressure, I always guessed what was good without a gauge. Put good pressure but never inflated them rock hard. I will get a gauge to measure the pressure accurately now.

By the way, years ago I used to ride on a hybrid bike with 700 x 32 tires (if I remember correctly) and those thicker valves (not presta). I had only one flat in 4 years!!!!! and when I had that flat tire I was 200 meters from a gas station!!!! I must be a lucky guy!!

One last question, approximately how many miles/kilomenters I have to ride before my 700 x 25C tires wear out and I have to get a new pair?

for fark sake ! Its Tyres not tires !

whiteboytrash said:

for fark sake ! Its Tyres not tires !

Sorry dude! British vs American spelling.

whiteboytrash said:

for fark sake ! Its Tyres not tires !

It's both.

What about less than 233mm? I used 20mm (or was it 19?) in a race once and came 3rd...can't find them anymore. (Hutchinson).

whiteboytrash said:

for fark sake ! Its Tyres not tires !

Gomme.... Right now it's gomme bucate for me. 🙁

-lw

JAPANic said:

It's both.

What about less than 233mm? I used 20mm (or was it 19?) in a race once and came 3rd...can't find them anymore. (Hutchinson).

You should not have trouble finding 20 or 21mm, first ones that come to mind are Veloflex but I am sure just about every major manufacturer will have them available.

Powerful Pete said:

You should not have trouble finding 20 or 21mm, first ones that come to mind are Veloflex but I am sure just about every major manufacturer will have them available.

Thanks, I guess I need to order online or ask my trusty lbs to restock them.
Had my best ever race on some 20mm ones.