2003 Cannondale R800 - tire size for better comfort

outsidezion

so, I am dealing with a running injury and really looking forward to getting back on my old 2003 R800 CAAD5 road bike. It is still in great shape. I really want a new gravel bike but cannot justify the outlay for a 2nd or 3rd degree level hobby when I spend most of my free-time running on the trails.

I'm having a compact crank put on it and a new BB and headset. My goal is to make it more comfortable in the hills. Those hills are all I have around here along with the rough pavement and tar-and-chip secondary roads.

1. Can I squeeze a 28mm tire on this bike?
2. What tire for better comfort and all-around rough road riding.

banditvic

Had one those very stiff and not comfortable, running 21mm and 23mm in those days as well. Don't know what the running clearance was though.

svetty

It's an old frame design - doubt you'd get anything bigger than 25mm on it - and these might be too tight depending on tyre brand.

Alejandrosdog

lovely bike but youll maybe get a 25mm on it. that is surprisingly noticeable even over a 23mm.

daniel_b

I'm driving down through France currently with my brothers CAAD 3 in the back.

They are old school frames, long before 25s and 28s were in vogue, I doubt your 5 is much different, but if you do have more space it will likely be on the front.

I have the same limitations on my CR1, and just run 25 up front, 23 on the rear.
Unless you can find a 25 that sizes up a bit small.

outsidezion

Thanks, interesting observations.... My LBS is trying to sell me on a Trek Checkpoint ALR5 which seems like a lovely all-around bike. Hard pitch to my lovely wife right now as I'm mostly a second-hand cyclist at the moment and winter around the corner.

May I ask: what 25mm tire might be most comfortable??

svetty

outsidezion wrote:

Thanks, interesting observations.... My LBS is trying to sell me on a Trek Checkpoint ALR5 which seems like a lovely all-around bike. Hard pitch to my lovely wife right now as I'm mostly a second-hand cyclist at the moment and winter around the corner.

May I ask: what 25mm tire might be most comfortable??

Veloflex clinchers 25mm don't come up larger than they should - which is both a benefit and a down-side if you think about it!