Should I change to different tires?

[yankiwi]

Hi,
Just bought a new Trek 7.5FX WSD a couple weeks ago and it comes standard with Bontrager Race Lite Hard-Case Plus, All Weather, 700x32c tires. I wondered at the time of purchase if I might like to switch out the tires to 28's so that I could move faster, but the LBS told me to try first and they would change them later if I wanted. (I came from a hybrid with 40 tires). I'm always interested in 'lighter & faster' in an effort to keep up with my husband and am now wondering how much advantage speed-wiseI might get (if any) from changing to smaller tires. Also, what would be the disadvantages, as I'm relatively new to all this. I only ever bike on the roads, if that is important info. Thanks so much.

[Kiwi Stoker]

Yes there will be a speed difference going from a 32 to a 28 tire.

Honestly 32 tires are more for touring (with loads), trail riding and maybe commuting. If you are road riding you really don't need a tire that thick.

We run 28s on our tandem but that's because of weight and having good grip on the road.

I would even look at going to a 25 or 23 for real speed difference. No real downside except road gripping but most thinner tires have compounds that are gripper, so you don't have to have a wider tire.

[marni]

three cross countries, assorted thousands of other miles and 5 years later, I am still riding on the bontrager 700x32 style tires that came with my Trek pilot 5.2. I have ridden a lot on highway shoulders with glass and wires from steel retreads, in also a lot in areas notorious for goats heads thorns and have never had a flat for those reasons. Unlike most riders, I rather like Bontrager products although I have switched to the race lites with kevlar. I prefer the solid road feel of the wider tire even on a fast road bike just for the better stability but then I am a distance and enduarnce rider not a racer so thake it all with a grain of salt. If your focus is speed you can always buy a pair of the thinner ones, and try them out. I tend to think the speed comes more from the rider than from the tire but what do I know.

marni

[smittykitty]

Husband and I both changed to Bontrager Race Lite 25's on our FX 7.5's. It made a noticeable difference in our speed. Went with the Race Lites because I don't want to worry about flats. They felt a little narrower for the first 5 miles or so, but then felt just as stable as the 32s. Went to the 25's instead of 28s because I wanted to notice a difference if I was going to spend the money for the kevlar tires. Really happy about the move. I also came from bikes with wide tires prior to the FX.