Quote:
Originally Posted by marciero
You're missing the air quotes around "Laboratory of the Road"
Not sure what to make of terms such as "many" and "most" tires. Why not compare tires using the same, or at least similar construction? Also, if speed were not simply a decreasing function of width, as you are suggesting, it would be very surprising if global max of 25mm for speed were independent of rider weight.
In fact I find detailed anecdotal accounts, such are ripvanrando's, more compelling than these "why arent the pros riding them" type arguments.
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The loss factors exist in isolation of rider weight. Tire size is more relevant to comfort than speed, for a rider's weight. Big guys still need skinny tires to be fast for racing.
I've ridden and raced every major wheel and tire size since 2013 (26", 27.5 & 650b, 700c & 29"). I'm probably the only guy in the world to seriously attempt road racing on 650bx42, among other experiments. Tire width makes a huge difference in speed and is as important to the individual rider as is aero or weight. There's no reason to discuss only one thing at the expense of the other. If a racer is to care about aero, they also need to care about tire width - Cda as well as Crr.