Whats the difference in feel/ handling?
i just went back to 23s from 28s: 23 has snappier handling, feels faster (whether it is or not) and just generally feels better IMHO. 28s should theoretically be more comfortable, but its kind of a moot point if yr running 120 pounds.
in theory (and under controlled empirical testing - do some google searching) a bigger tyre will have less rolling resistance than a skinny at the same pressure , the corollary of that being that for the same rolling resistance (and lower pressure) the bigger tyre should run softer.
BUT
a lot of road feel depends on how the tyre is built - casing, compound, tread, sidewalls, extra puncture protection belting etc etc etc. The above might hold for tyres of the same construction but to me 28c randos feel like iron hoops at 120, but my 21c veloflexes are still a bit skushy at 140.
I commute on 34s…they feel like pedalling through custard some days but my commute (often) includes cracked asphalt, sand and grass. which they roll over nicely.
my 28s were maxxis detonators and my 23s are gatorskins…
detonators just felt like shit.
detonators are shit
+1
I dont know how many of those things come in with flats time after time till the owners crack and buy a 28 randoneur.
E
After a few years of commuting on 23s or 25s, I’ve recently switched to 35s and I’m quite enjoying it. Definitely handles the rough roads and shrapnel better, horses for courses.
im currently running 35c Vittoria Randonneurs. They’re great for commuting and getting over the rough stuff - but i must say they are a little sluggish for my liking. you do get better traction with wider tyres + less chance of punctures with more air they have more cushion.
Rule of thumb: more rubber - more surface area - more grip - but also, more resistance.
you could also run a wider tyre in the back say a 28 in the back and a 23 in the front. You can experiment with combinations. Rolling resistance Vs control and traction. With a Fatter tire in the back you can really dig for contact, with comfort and the front u can skip around with more response and feel to directing the bike where u need to go.
I don’t see why detonators are so bad, puncture wise. I’ve been running 25c ones for over a year and haven’t had an unusual amount of flats with them, touch wood. I just keep them up around 100-120psi.
I had more troubles with my rear Everwear getting a hole before it wore down.
Rule of thumb is 'Lower pressure = larger contact patch, more grip.
Higher pressure doesn’t always equal lower rolling resistance, narrower tyres doesn’t always equal lower RR.
I’m going to use imperial units here because most of us relate to tyre pressure in psi. Rest assured I feel a little dirty doing so.
Contact patch size is a function of tyre pressure and bike&rider weight.
Say load = 200lbs (evenly distributed), tyre pressures are 100psi, each tyre will have a 1 sq in contact patch. The narrower the tyre, the longer the contact patch has to be to still be 1 sq in in size. This means more of the tyre needs to deform, increasing rolling resistance.
Of course, wider tyres should be run at lower pressures, so the above is irrelevant anyway.
Another option is a wider front tyre, to improve cornering grip and wrist cushioning.
Sheldon also has lots to say about tyres