Most Comfortable 23mm Winter Tyres

dizarch

I'm looking for some winter tyres but can't stand 25mm's even though comfort is more important to me than speed.

I have already tried Vredestein Fortezza Senso All Weather SL (23mm) which I would recommend to anybody who doesn't mind feeling a few bumps in the road. Unfortunately, they lack the comfort I prefer.

Any suggestions for a comfortable 23mm winter tyre that doesn't weigh as much as the moon would be very welcome.

ju5t1n

DizArch wrote:

I'm looking for some winter tyres but can't stand 25mm's even though comfort is more important to me than speed.

This is an odd statement. What do you have against 25mm tyres?

lostboysaint

ju5t1n wrote:

DizArch wrote:

I'm looking for some winter tyres but can't stand 25mm's even though comfort is more important to me than speed.

This is an odd statement. What do you have against 25mm tyres?

Quite!

dizarch

I know, I think it's psychological and am the first to admit that it makes no sense whatsoever but I just love looking down and seeing the slim elegance of 23mm's I guess. Call it aesthetics but I just don't like 25's.

lostboysaint

Why are you looking down?

dizarch

Pain makes my head droop!

cougie

I've gone the other way. I'm loving my 25mms.

Anyway you could always sneak a 25mm on the rear wheel. Just don't tell yourself eh ?

simon_masterson

If you're going narrow, at least do it properly and go for 19-21mm!

dizarch

Simon Masterson wrote:

If you're going narrow, at least do it properly and go for 19-21mm!

I've never liked ice skating.

cougie

ultra narrow might be best for ice ? Ice skates are pretty narrow.

Not trying it myself though.

dizarch

madasahattersley wrote:

The difference between the world's least comfortable 23mm and the world's most comfortable 23mm won't be as big as the difference in comfort you'll get by just putting 25s on. Put your pride aside cos' honestly nobody should care, least of all you.

It's nothing to do with pride, I just don't like seeing 25mm tyres on my bike. I wouldn't put a picture I don't like on my living room wall so I'd rather not do the same with my bike especially as I spend more time on the bike than I do in my living room.

Anyway, I suspect I'm searching for something that doesn't exist so I'm going to flip a coin to see whether I suffer physically (23mm) or aesthetically (25mm).

Bar Shaker

I have 23mm GP4000S II on my carbons and 25mm GP4000S II on my Ksyriums.

There is a difference in comfort but it is negligible and not worth bothering with.

I greatly prefer the feel of 23s when cornering.

Tiesetrotter

Personally, for winter Rubino Pro (Techs). I run a 25mm Rubino Pro Tech on the rear and 23mm Rubino Pro on the front for the same silly but perfectly understandable reason as yourself.

garyk72

Schwalbe Durano S, fast, puncture proof and supple. They also only come in 23mm width. Job done!

darkhairedlord

you need Froome's stem, that will stop you looking at that naughty tyre...

mm1

You could go for Vittoria Pave, which come as a 24. I have a pair of 28c Vittoria Pave tubs which are sublime, and 30c Challenge Strada Bianca wire ons ("clinchers") which feel like floating on a magic carpet, both a bit wide for you I guess.

cougie

Bar Shaker wrote:

I have 23mm GP4000S II on my carbons and 25mm GP4000S II on my Ksyriums.

There is a difference in comfort but it is negligible and not worth bothering with.

I greatly prefer the feel of 23s when cornering.

I'm a new convert to 25mm - they seem to be smoothing out the roads I use a fair bit. I'd not bother with 23mm now.

Bar Shaker

Used both sets of wheels two weekends ago and I can't tell any difference. 23mm were at 90psi, 25mm were at 85psi.

I think it's all marketing hype and all in the mind. I also think that the 4000S II are incredibly smooth anyway, so any improvement would only ever be very marginal.

There is also a downside in that I doubt my Cruds will fit over them.

Monty Dog

Fact - for two tyres of identical construction (e.g. one 23mm and other 25mm) and pressure, the narrower tyres will have increased rolling resistance. Aerodynamics differences are insignificant. The fact that 25mm tyres are generally more comfortable, less likely to impact puncture and handle better (IME) is a bonus.

declan1

If you're worried about looking 'pro', most professionals use 25mm tyres now anyway. Just get them and put up with the fact that they're a little bit wider - they're much more comfortable and technically faster.

letap73

I don't know if this helps but I have just fitted 28 mm Vittoria Rubino pro techs on some H Plus sons and they don't look much bigger than the 23mm conti Gp4000s on another wheelset!

DKay

I would actuallly like to see some replies directly relating to the original post, as 25s rub like crazy on my Crud Road Racers.

dizarch

I take it all back about the Vredestein Fortezza Senso All Weather SL (23mm). Went into the Scottish Borders yesterday (no passport required) and did over 100 miles in mist, drizzle, fog and rain. Roads were pretty slippery but the tyres were absolutely brilliant. Rolled well, plenty of grip and I felt really confident going into damp, downhill corners at pace.

Slightly sore palms this morning but no more than I used to get with the Conti GP 4000's (25mm).

PS. They looked aesthetically pleasing too, none of that nasty tractor wheel effect you get with 25mm's

MrGrumpy

I run 25mm Durano S folders on my road bike, not had one puncture this year in over 2.5k miles. Previously shod 23mm on my road bikes and will not be going back to 23s except for my fixie as I have clearance issues. Been setting record commute times this year and my @rse has never been so comfy. Not convinced at all that 23s are faster or better but then again I`m a lightening fast 94kg

mmacavity

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/lat ... nge-113752

bendertherobot

I have Pro 4 Service Course 25c. I wouldn't necessarily run them in winter but they are cheap. They roll brilliantly and blow up bigger than 25c. There's no way on earth I'd go back to 23c

paulmon

I find conti 4 seasons to be more comfortable than 4000s.

kajjal

PaulMon wrote:

I find conti 4 seasons to be more comfortable than 4000s.

I use the same , 23mm.

w00dster

From a comfort factor with 23c tyres I'm very happy with my bontrager r4's, not had one puncture in them over the summer. That being said I whipped them off at the weekend and put my Conti 4 seasons on (25c) ready for winter.

rafletcher

DKay wrote:

I would actuallly like to see some replies directly relating to the original post, as 25s rub like crazy on my Crud Road Racers.

Well I don't think you will unfortunately. Winter tyres are generally expected to be harder wearing and more puncture resistant - so stiffer than "equivalent summer" tyres. So will be less comfortable by their nature. So either take off the cruds and get messy, put up with a firmer winter ride, or stick to "summer" tyres.

Dippydog3

My new winter bike has 32mm tyres. Yummy comfortable.

I normally ride 25mm. I am not convinced the 32mm ones are any slower at my pace. (25 to 30 kph average.)

And now I do not have to avoid cattle grids, gravel, small potholes, ripped Tarmac, etc.