Suggestions for true 28 mm tires

[dawgie]

Does anyone make a 28 mm folding tire that actually measures at least 28 mm wide? I've been using Conti GP 4 Seasons for a while, and although pleased with their performance, it has always irked me that they only measure 26 mm wide. They recently wore out and I had bought some Vittoria Rubino 28s to replace them. However, when I mounted the Rubinos, they only measured 26 mm wide as well. That surprised me because my Rubino 25s measure exactly 25 mm wide. The 28s are marked 700x28 on the sidewalls and the box, but don't measure more than 1 mm wider or taller than the 25s. Very frustrating.

From my understanding and previous threads, Rivendell Ruffy Tuffys and Rolly Polys measure close to 28 mm. I'm also aware that various Grand Boise and Challenge tires are 28 mm or wider, but I frankly don't want to spend that much for commuting tires that might get trashed by a piece of glass or sharp gravel.

Clement Stradas and Schwalbe Duranos seem like good choices and can be bought for less than $40, but I am afraid to order them for fear that they will also measure much narrower than billed. Can anyone confirm that the Clement Strada and Schwalbe Durano 28s actually measure at least 28 mm wide? Any other brands/models that I am missing?

[tbcpn]

Durano measures right at 28 on my Mavic CXP-33 rims.

[teleguy57]

Ultremo ZX 28s run a hair under 30 on my TB-14 rims after some use, so I bet they're right at 28 on a "standard" rim like the Open Pro.

[palincss]

Grand Bois Cerf Extra Leger

[buldogge]

Schwalbe Ultremo ZXs for sure…

-Mark in St. Louis

[one60]

the ultremo measures a true 28mm on standard width rim while the 28c durano is 26-26.5. The durano is a decent tire for winter road conditions in the NW with a better ride than the gatorskins it replaced. Durability seems good so far...

The Ultremo is a superb clincher...fast, grippy, reasonable durable & cut resistant...can't recommend it enough. Hope to try the Schwalbe One soon

[Vientomas]

My Durano's measure 28mm plus on Campy rims.

[professerr]

I'll chime in on the Utremo ZX 28s, which definitely measure at least 28 on skinny rims. If my commute was long and at speed, I'd choose these in a heartbeat. Durable enough and they feel good, compliant and fast.

Plodding through city traffic and debris -- I'd go for Roly Pollys

[dawgie]

My rims are Open Pros and DT Swiss 565s. Ultremos look like a good option if a true 28.

Anyone with the Clement Strada 28s?

[merckx]

Grand Bois 28's run true to size in both regular casing and also EL.

[dawgie]

I'll chime in on the Utremo ZX 28s, which definitely measure at least 28 on skinny rims. If my commute was long and at speed, I'd choose these in a heartbeat. Durable enough and they feel good, compliant and fast.

Plodding through city traffic and debris -- I'd go for Roly Pollysf

This sounds right. My commute is 31 miles round trip with lots of hills. Not much debris or rough pavement. I get maybe one flat a year on Rubinos and GP 4 Seasons.

[Charles M]

This is just as dependent on rims as the tires... I have 2 sets of Conti and they measure 18 and almost 30 on different rims.

Same with Rubino's

[choke]

Anyone with the Clement Strada 28s? I had Strada 28s mounted in the past; I don't remember the exact width but they were close...27mm maybe. I can say that they have a shorter sidewall than Ruffy Tuffys - the Clements would easily clear on one bike where the RTs were very close to hitting the back brake.

[tigoat]

All of my Conti 4000s 25c (3 sets) measure 27mm with ENVE 29XC rims. Hope their new 28c will be true to size or slightly bigger.

[dave thompson]

Schwalbe Ultremo ZX, wonderful and true to size

[oliver1850]

Michelin Pilot Sport measures exactly 28 on an Open Pro.

[CiclistiCliff]

Vredestein Fortezza Tricomp in 25 sizeway on my Archetypes measure out to a full 28mm.

[Dromen]

My 4season on HED Belgiums measure 26.2. Based on frame/fork clearances this is spot on for my tastes. BUT i am perplexed as my 4 seasons near end of life, what to order next. Everyone seems to say they run narrow like most contis but mine run wide. I may buy 23s 25s and 28s and see what i get.

[bobswire]

Challenge Parigi Roubaix 700x27 though they are listed at 27 some have measured them at 29 depending on rims. http://www.velomine.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=138_396_400&products_id=1128

[zzy]

My Durano 28s measure out to 27.5mm on a DT 465 rim. Then again my Pro Race 2 25s measure 27.0mm on the same rim.

[Kirk007]

rolly pollys/ruffy tuffys, schwabe durano and the other good ones already mentioned

[mistermo]

Schwalbe Ultremo ZXs for sure…



Beginning and end of story here.

[rustychisel]

the way some of you go on about it, it's as if size does matter

[dawgie]

Well, I ended up buying some Rivendell Ruffy Tuffys, which supposedly are true 28s but they measure just 26 mm on my rims. Perhaps they will stretch out with use, or maybe my rims just run narrow (DT Swiss 465s). My Vittoria Rubino 28s still measure 26 mm as well on Open Pro rims, and haven't stretched after two weeks of use.

The Ruffy Tuffys are heavy for folding clinchers, but are supposed to be very durable and flat-resistant, which is important because they are on my main commuter bike and I don't want to be fixing flats on a cold, dark winter morning. Quality control appears to be good because both tires weighed 350 grams on my digital scale, just as advertised. They roll and ride very nice, and I like the tan sidewalls.

The Rubino 28s also roll and ride very nice, noticeably cushier than the Rubino 25s that were previously on that bike. Remarkably they weighed only 235 grams on my scale.

The Schwalbe Ultremos are next on my list for tires to try.

[tsampson]

rivendell rolly polly. best riding tire ever, super round like a motorcycle tire