25’s or 28’s?

[xtheendisnearx]

Im on the same boat. Im still riding on 23s lol but have been wanting to go up to either 25 or 28. Some of the guys i ride with have 28s, they look huge but they say its way more comfortable. I think my next will be a 25...

[cgates66]

I've ridden 23, 25 and 28 in the past year (all Continental GP4000 and 5000, clincher with tube).

A few comments:
1) Rim width vs. nominal tire width matters. 25c on a 15mm rim feels a little squirmy around corners, while 28c on a 21mm (internal) rim feels very precise.
2) Comfort wise, 28>25>23, all noticeable;
3) Speed-wise, I believe it largely depends on rider weight and pavement quality. A heavier rider, or worse pavement, moves you to a larger tire, while a lighter rider on better pavement moves you to a smaller tire.

For me, 25 is faster than 23 in all conditions that I ride in. 28 is definitely more comfortable, but I don't have enough seat time with 28 to say it's definitely faster than 25.

[saab2000]

Originally Posted by cgates66

A few comments:
1) Rim width vs. nominal tire width matters. 25c on a 15mm rim feels a little squirmy around corners, while 28c on a 21mm (internal) rim feels very precise.

Excellent points you make, but this one stands out to me the most. I too feel that rim internal width is critical to all this. Narrow rims and a 25 are totally unsatisfying and squishy and squirmy. No so with wider rims like 20mm internals. For me wide tires like 25s (which nobody considers wide anymore) were a very unsatisfying option until the advent of wider rims.

FWIW, I measured some 25s I have on Pacenti Forza and they measured out between 27 and 28mm in a very quick, unscientific observation.

[colker]

MOving back the wheel on the horizontal drop outs changes significantly more the feel of the bike than a 23 x 25 x28. ymmv.

[pdonk]

When I look at my 25s (cont gp4000s) on mavic open pros vs my 28s (schwalbe pro1) on Hed Belgium plus, they look tiny. Hard to imagine I rode 23s on the open pros for years and was happy with them. May go to 28s on those rims once the 25s are dead.

I am a firm convert to the 28s for the type of riding I do and the road conditions I face on a typical ride.

[uber]

A big thanks to all who have responded!