Maybe a dumb question (or two)

[sarahspins]

He also said that with the smaller tire I would be more likely to have flats riding on the road (as opposed to the rails-to-trails bike path)

This is true.. but ONLY if you fail to maintain correct tire pressure (meaning checking/filling before every ride - invest in a good floor pump if you haven't already). If you fail to do so, road tires are more prone to "pinch flats" than most hybrid and MTB tires are simply because there is less distance between the road and the rim... but a properly inflated tire really isn't at a huge risk.. not enough to be paranoid over, so long as you're checking pressure.

I've yet to have a flat while riding on any bike... I do ride with supplies if I were to have one, it just hasn't happened. I don't really expect it to happen... I would just hate to be stranded if it did.

[sandra]

I always check the tires and inflate before every ride.

Do you think that I would notice a difference in going from the 32s to the 28s? Or would you agree that it is not enough to notice? I'm not sure I want to go to the 25s (although I'm not sure why!)

[Blueberry]

I always check the tires and inflate before every ride.

Do you think that I would notice a difference in going from the 32s to the 28s? Or would you agree that it is not enough to notice? I'm not sure I want to go to the 25s (although I'm not sure why!)

Yes. I do. To me, there's a big difference. I like the Specialized All Condition Sport. Cheap, and have worked great for me in a 28 and 32.

[smittykitty]

Switched from Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase 32s to the 25s on my Trek FX 7.5. Really glad. Picked up a couple miles per hr. Felt a little narrower for the first couple of minutes, then never thought about it again after that. Do feel the chip seal with higher pressure. Have to keep reminding husband that I don't really need 100+ pds of pressure for my weight. Happy Biking

[pll]

Since tire pressure is being discussed, allow me to point to a neat chart I found years ago (posted here) when I was trying to minimize the impact of road buzz on my hands.

Rather than as "ideal" inflation, I've used this chart as the minimum tire pressure I can get away with given my weight and the bike's. In tend to go close the maximum PSI for my rear wheel (120 psi is what my tires can take), but I go closer to the lower inflation suggested by the chart in my front wheel.

[sandra]

OK, you all have convinced me. I think I'm going to do it. Now I can't decide whether to go with the 28s or just go ahead with the 25s!!!

[pll]

Go with the 25s. You'll notice more of a difference and you still have bikes with thicker tires. When I first started biking, my 23s looked very skinny to. I've grown to like them.

[sandra]

These are my rims.

http://www.alexrims.com/product_deta...=3&cat=4&id=97

*edited* errrrr, nevermind. The numbers are running together in my head! I'm not looking at 23s. It was 25s I was interested in so that should be perfect.

[pll]

Let me post this chart again, which I have found useful: