700x20 tyres too thin?

chris_bass
chris_bass Posts: 4,913
edited July 2012 in Road buying advice
Hi

I usually run 700x23 tyres but seen a good deal on some 700x20 - would the difference be really noticable?
www.conjunctivitis.com - a site for sore eyes

Comments

  • Hoopdriver
    Hoopdriver Posts: 2,023
    Why on earth would you want to ride on tyres that thin?
    http://www.My-Bicycle-and-I.com
  • BillyMansell
    BillyMansell Posts: 817
    depending on your weight and your local road condition then stay wider. In the 80s and 90s we used to go thinner but today's research suggests the opposite.

    Riders are tending to go wider because the comfort, puncture resistance and rolling resistance all improve with wider tyres. Stick with 23s or go to 25s .
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    If these are Veloflex 'anything' then I'd steer clear unless you only ride on freshly laid, smooth tarmac that is swept on a daily basis.
    More problems but still living....
  • chris_bass
    chris_bass Posts: 4,913
    i dont really want to but they are very cheap!!
    www.conjunctivitis.com - a site for sore eyes
  • IShaggy
    IShaggy Posts: 301
    They may be quicker on the track - depending on the wheels. But on the road they would probably be slower and the ride would less comfortable.
  • Hoopdriver
    Hoopdriver Posts: 2,023
    Chris Bass wrote:
    i dont really want to but they are very cheap!!
    There is probably a very good reason
    http://www.My-Bicycle-and-I.com
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    You may 'feel' they are quicker, but the ride will be less comfortable, handling on corners will be sketchy and be prepared for lots more punctures. There was a trend for skinny tyres back in the 80s which actually wasn't based on scientific evidence, just the perception that narrower tyres = faster. Folks used to run 20mm tyres on skinny, 18mm wide rims! Latest research and data from tyre manufacturers proves the contrary as rolling resistance and tyre 'footprint' is more important than aerodynamics.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Crankbrother
    Crankbrother Posts: 1,695
    I rode Conti GP3000 20mm tyres for a while >10 years ago ...

    You did pick up punctures easier and had to ride them fully pumped but they were faster than 23mm in the same brand ... Knocked 10 mins of my 30 mile route PB ...

    I rode them over some harsh roads and even 3 miles of dirt/stone (rather then cobbled) farm link road ...

    I stopped using them when I nearly hit a woman and child who decided to run across the road in front of me ... You just can't stop in a hurry on the buggers ...
  • bill57
    bill57 Posts: 454
    Crankbrother wrote:
    IKnocked 10 mins of my 30 mile route PB ......

    Sorry mate, you may well have knocked 10 mins off, but it wasn't down to just a change in tyres.
  • Hoopdriver
    Hoopdriver Posts: 2,023
    bill57 wrote:
    Crankbrother wrote:
    IKnocked 10 mins of my 30 mile route PB ......

    Sorry mate, you may well have knocked 10 mins off, but it wasn't down to just a change in tyres.
    +1 on that.

    You were fitter, or having a good day, or both
    http://www.My-Bicycle-and-I.com
  • chris_bass
    chris_bass Posts: 4,913
    think i'll give a miss and spend a bit more and stick with my usuals!
    www.conjunctivitis.com - a site for sore eyes
  • Crankbrother
    Crankbrother Posts: 1,695
    Hoopdriver wrote:
    bill57 wrote:
    Crankbrother wrote:
    IKnocked 10 mins of my 30 mile route PB ......

    Sorry mate, you may well have knocked 10 mins off, but it wasn't down to just a change in tyres.
    +1 on that.

    You were fitter, or having a good day, or both

    Excuse my ignorance but how would a thin fully inflated tyre not run faster on a poor quality road surface ... Less to fight against (same as slick/knobbled tyres) ...

    But don't get me wrong ... Cycling is all about the >£3k placebo effect ...
  • bill57
    bill57 Posts: 454
    See this article here -

    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/b ... ths-29245/

    To be honest if you'd said you knocked a couple of minutes off, I wouldn't have argued, these things can be very subjective. It was just that 10 minutes off 30 miles is way too big a chunk.

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