Tires and Tubes
By MrFixie
Advice on Tires and Tubing
For city riding a smoother tread is recommended. If you intend to ride through dirt and/or snow conditions, knobby tires would perform much better than slicks.
Air pressure is of great concern. Be sure to buy a floor pump with a gauge and Presta capabilities to make sure you inflate your tires to recommended pressure found ingrained on the tire’s sidewall.
Tire width is another controversial subject in the cycling community. The most common size these days is 700X23C. 700C is the wheel size and 23 is the tire width expressed in millimeters. 23mm will allow you to go the fastest. However, if you’re a heavier rider or if you plan to ride with a significant amount of cargo, 700X25C or 700X28C would be more comfortable, albeit a tad slower ride. The wider the tire, the greater the tire weight as well. Some people ride touring bikes as wide as 700×35C or 700X37C. A wider tire will allow greater air volume, which will allow for more cushion while riding. Wider tires also ride at lower air pressures, which also makes for a more comfortable ride.
