I was just wondering if anyone had any recommendations on which tire size (width) I should use on a set of 2005 tubular 404’s. I don’t care about comfort…I just want to go as fast as possible.
I second the 21mm dimension on smooth roads.
Then again, I used 23mm tubulars at IMNZ on my Zipps run at 110 psi while Bjorn used 19mm tires at 140 psi.
I think more comfortable is faster. 21mm strikes me as a reasonable compromise between speed and comfort.
The rim is designed around a 21mm tire. The shape of the sidewall and the cross section of the 21mm tire make the ideal cross section. The Zipp tires have a “tapered” tread, which means that there is no drop off or shelf where the tread stops and the sidewall begins. They are the only tire other than Dugast Pista tires that have this feature which greatly reduces the air “tumbling” off of the tread edge over the casing. The air sees your tire first remember and at a reasonable 23 mph on the bike, the top of your wheels are doing over 46 mph.
Enjoy your wheels.
-SD