Tires for my "race" wheels - 20 or 23?

Triathlon Forum
1

I have some Zipp 404s & need to buy some new tires. I have only ridden the 700x23 tires. What’s the main selling point of getting the 20 size tires?

Is it kinda like low profile tires for your car? Somewhat better performance, but less longevity and more about “looks”? Or am I way off in my analysis?

Thanks,

RD

2

Well Red Ragon (still the coolest user name),

This is a frequent debate on here. Aerodynamics, weight and rolling resistance all come into the fray.

In general, on your race wheels (with tubulars) I say go as narrow as is practical down to 19mm. That may mean on some courses with a lot of rough pavement you stick to a 22mm or 23mm tire. On smoother pavement then back to the 20’s and 19’s.

There are a few variables too: What kind of “feel” do you like? How much do you weigh? What’s the weather forecast (rain?), how wide is the widest point of the rim you are using? How much risk do you want to take getting a flat?

All that stuff weighs in. At the end of it all though, I think going as anrrow as is practical might be an OK rule of thumb.

3

Great response Tom, I would like to add the narrower tire “turns in” quicker and might feel “sketchy” for the inexperienced or unexpecting.

4

thanks tom for the reply…

rd