Optimal tyre width for a tubular

mtbrider123

Hi Guys,

So I have a 20mm tubular wheelset running 22mm tubular tyres. I’d like to know what is the optimal tyre width for these rims? I know that wider tyres are better on clincher rims, but some people say that tyre width doesn’t matter on tubular wheels. Any idea?

Thanks

StillGoing

Hasn't stopped the pro peloton running wider widths. When I had tubulars I ran 25mm tubs.

sungod

if the rims are deep, i'd stick to 21-22mm

going wider gives a lightbulb shaped profile which is poor aerodynamically, increases drag and it also can make the wheel 'catch' as yaw angle shifts, on mine even a 23mm tub on the front makes a noticeable difference (for the worse)

if drag isn't a factor, then it really comes down to how the tub fits the rim bed profile, up to 25mm you'll probably be ok, as you go wider you may find the glue sticking well at the edges but not the centre

fwiw with my 20mm rims (which are deep) i prefer 21/22mm front, 23mm rear, using 25mm on the rear feels just a bit squishy when cornering hard

mtbrider123

sungod wrote:

if the rims are deep, i'd stick to 21-22mm

going wider gives a lightbulb shaped profile which is poor aerodynamically, increases drag and it also can make the wheel 'catch' as yaw angle shifts, on mine even a 23mm tub on the front makes a noticeable difference (for the worse)

if drag isn't a factor, then it really comes down to how the tub fits the rim bed profile, up to 25mm you'll probably be ok, as you go wider you may find the glue sticking well at the edges but not the centre

fwiw with my 20mm rims (which are deep) i prefer 21/22mm front, 23mm rear, using 25mm on the rear feels just a bit squishy when cornering hard

Yes, my wheels are deep - 47.5mm. So by the sound of it I should keep the 22mm tubs. 23 doesn’t exist for the continental competition, so 22 at the front and back is the best option, right?

Thanks

sungod

the front is where matching makes a significant difference

the rear doesn't matter so much - it doesn't create any significant steering forces and the air hitting it is already turbulent

i've used the 22mm comps front/rear, if you like them then i'd stick with that

using a wider rear does allow it to be run at lower pressure than a thin one, which is slightly comfier, and wear rate is a bit lower (assuming overall same construction)

fwiw i use veloflex sprinter front and criterium rear, they give a nicer ride than the conti comps (and are way easier to mount!)

mtbrider123

sungod wrote:

the front is where matching makes a significant difference

the rear doesn't matter so much - it doesn't create any significant steering forces and the air hitting it is already turbulent

i've used the 22mm comps front/rear, if you like them then i'd stick with that

using a wider rear does allow it to be run at lower pressure than a thin one, which is slightly comfier, and wear rate is a bit lower (assuming overall same construction)

fwiw i use veloflex sprinter front and criterium rear, they give a nicer ride than the conti comps (and are way easier to mount!)

Thank you for your reply. So if I was to change the rear, should I go for a 23 or a 25 & keep the 22 at the front?

sungod

22 at front for sure

rear makes less difference, there're also aesthetic considerations! if you want to stick with comps then for the rear it's 22 or 25

mtbrider123

sungod wrote:

22 at front for sure

rear makes less difference, there're also aesthetic considerations! if you want to stick with comps then for the rear it's 22 or 25

Perfect, thanks!

thegreatdivide

sungod wrote:

if the rims are deep, i'd stick to 21-22mm

going wider gives a lightbulb shaped profile which is poor aerodynamically, increases drag and it also can make the wheel 'catch' as yaw angle shifts, on mine even a 23mm tub on the front makes a noticeable difference

That might be true for older style deep section wheels, but with the introduction of wider aero rims from the likes of Zipp, they advise 23 to 25, with the latter giving a better ‘teardrop’ profile. Now that all the brands have gone fat, a 25mm tub is the go to.

With Vittoria no longer making the superb 24mm Corsa SR (boo) you won’t see many Pro teams going under 25mm.

sungod

thegreatdivide wrote:

That might be true for older style deep section wheels, but with the introduction of wider aero rims from the likes of Zipp, they advise 23 to 25, with the latter giving a better ‘teardrop’ profile. Now that all the brands have gone fat, a 25mm tub is the go to.

yes, but this thread is about 20mm wide deep rims

zipp 303 is a similar depth, the tub version is over 26mm wide at the brake tracks and the rim bulges to 28mm, hence much wider tyres

matt_n-2

Mtbrider123 wrote:

Yes, my wheels are deep - 47.5mm. So by the sound of it I should keep the 22mm tubs. 23 doesn’t exist for the continental competition, so 22 at the front and back is the best option, right?

Thanks

Corima?

I've currently got FFWD F6R which are 22.4mm wide with 25mm Corsa G+ tubs on and feel they're a bit wide actually, I previously had 303s with 25mm which worked much better. Think I'll go down to 23mm next time.

mtbrider123

Matt_N wrote:

Mtbrider123 wrote:

Yes, my wheels are deep - 47.5mm. So by the sound of it I should keep the 22mm tubs. 23 doesn’t exist for the continental competition, so 22 at the front and back is the best option, right?

Thanks

Corima?

I've currently got FFWD F6R which are 22.4mm wide with 25mm Corsa G+ tubs on and feel they're a bit wide actually, I previously had 303s with 25mm which worked much better. Think I'll go down to 23mm next time.

Lightweight. I think 22 at the front and 23 on the rear or 22 on both look like the best options.

sungod

Mtbrider123 wrote:

Lightweight. I think 22 at the front and 23 on the rear or 22 on both look like the best options.

me too, thought the depth/width sounded familiar!