A bit of a technical question...
It seems this season most pros are using 25 mm wide tyres, whilst 23 used to be the standard.
When I was half my age (), the trend was rather to have the most thin tyres (I've had 19 mm ones, maybe 18, not sure), to minimize the surface of contact with the ground (grip is no an issue on dry floor with the power level of cyclists, no matter how good).
Any idea where that trend comes from, or more generally why ?
Edited by Aquarius on 30-03-2013 17:14
Aquarius wrote:
A bit of a technical question...
It seems this season most pros are using 25 mm wide tyres, whilst 23 used to be the standard.
When I was half my age (), the trend was rather to have the most thin tyres (I've had 19 mm ones, maybe 18, not sure), to minimize the surface of contact with the ground (grip is no an issue on dry floor with the power level of cyclists, no matter how good).
Any idea where that trend comes from, or more generally why ?
I believe it has something to do with the rolling resistance (?), don't know if it is the correct word. Also the chance to get a puncture should be lower.
Nah, rolling resistance increases proportionally to the surface of contact between the tyre and the ground (road), so a wider tyre increases it, and marginally increases the probability of a puncture too.
I'd say it increases comfort, which even pros must appreciate, but it's always been case with wider tyres, so why suddenly this year ? There must be something else I can't figure out.
Edited by Aquarius on 30-03-2013 17:33
Aquarius wrote:
Nah, rolling resistance increases proportionally to the surface of contact between the tyre and the ground (road), so a wider tyre increases it, and marginally increases the probability of a puncture too.
I'd say it increases comfort, which even pros must appreciate, but it's always been case with wider tyres, so why suddenly this year ? There must be something else I can't figure out.
Can it be due to the poor weather conditions?
It has been more cold and wet this year in Europe.
25mm tires together with wide rims are the most aerodynamic setup (according to wheel-producers) and for some reason they are said to have a better rolling resistance. I can't exactly explain why, but i think i has to do with the road surface which isn't smooth and a wider tire with less pressure will need less energy to adapt to the roughness.
Just a minor correction to this - says he doped from 2003 to 2008.
Just waiting for him to go "April Fools! I've always been clean"
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"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
), the trend was rather to have the most thin tyres (I've had 19 mm ones, maybe 18, not sure), to minimize the surface of contact with the ground (grip is no an issue on dry floor with the power level of cyclists, no matter how good). 
