Fatter tires on a road bike

[kiwilee]

Hi-

I am new"ish" to riding on a road bike. I have been riding a road bike for over a year, but I don't get out often. Even after all this time, I find myself wishing I had wider tires. I just can not get comfortable on these tires coming from a hybrid. I am on the brakes downhill for fear of hitting a pothole or some debris. I just do not feel stable at all!

So can I get a a slightly wider tire without having to change my whole wheel? Can I put a different size tube from what I have on there currently? ANd how do I see what size width I have on there now?

Thanks for input!

[ny biker]

The maximum tire width depends on the frame/fork. What road bike do you have?

Also it's possible that you don't feel stable because the bike doesn't fit you right. Did someone at the bike shop do a fitting when you bought it?

[kiwilee]

I have a Giant Avail and love it! My tires say 700x250...they are really skinny. I have not been fitted for the bike by bike shop. I fitted it myself using computer specs.

I am used to riding my specialized hybrid which rides more like a road bike (except for handles). I just can't seem to feel confident on this bike?? I'm way more nervous about hitting a pothole or going too fast and not having control.

[Blueberry]

So those are 25mm tires. You may be able to put 28's on - http://www.bikeradar.com/us/road/new...nounced-41702/ - depending on your year and the tire. Presuming you have disc brakes?

I agree with NYBiker - though - that sounds "off" to me. I don't feel *that* unstable on skinny tires (though 28's and 32's are my preference). Are your bars way below your saddle? Do you feel uncomfortable other times (besides when descending)? How is it on flats/climbs? Is there something about the bike that is making you feel like you don't have control? Can you reach the brakes easily?

[north woods gal]

At first, a 700x25 equipped bike (meaning 25mm wide tires - your new bike) will feel a bit less stable than a 700x35 equipped bike (35mm wide tires, typically what you find on a hybrid). As NY says, as long as the bike fits you, I'd say just do a bit more riding. You'll get used to it. The 700x25 setup is actually pretty durable. Most of us have put umpteen thousands of miles on 700x25 road bikes on pavement of all kinds and even gravel and dirt at times. They're not as dainty as they look.

The most dangerous cracks in the road with skinny tires are the ones that run parallel to the road, the ones that point in the same direction as your wheels. These can pinch your wheels if your wheels fall into them and cause you to lose steering. These are dangerous. The much more common horizontal to your wheels cracks and shallow/small potholes a 700x25 can handle pretty well. Not the most comfortable, but the closer you hit them at 90 degrees, the better.

As to going to a bigger tire, looks like the Giant is a pretty standard road bike. Most of the time, you might be able to squeeze a 700x28 on such a bike, but not always. Take your bike to the dealer and ask them, but as I said, I'd jut do a bit more riding on the 700x25s. Put some more miles on them and they'll come to feel very normal.

[ny biker]

One thing to consider is that there might be a maximum width tire that can go on the bike. Someone at my LBS measured my bike years ago and told me that 25mm tires are the widest I can use. I don't know exactly what he measured on the bike to determine that.

Another thing is tire pressure. Higher pressure means you feel bumps and cracks in the road more and that can make the bike feel jittery. There's a good chance that you can safely lower the pressure in your tires -- most people inflate them to a higher pressure than necessary -- and that will give you a smoother ride.

[Crankin]

The fact is, it does feel different. Tires 2-3mm wider might help with the transition, but in the end, you need to spend some time just getting used to a different position on the bike. What Murienn said is excellent advice.