Are Wider Bicycle Tires Better?

Wide bicycle tires vs narrow tires has been well debated in the cycling community for years now. I used to think that narrow tires means more speed. Once I started researching for this article, I only realized how wrong I was! So- are wider bicycle tires better?

For the average cyclist, wider bicycle tires, in the range of 28 mm-32 mm width are better than narrow ones. This is because they allow you to go faster with lesser exertion and provide a more comfortable ride due to the cushioning effect produced by increased air volume in the tires.

There are trade-offs to keep in mind though, depending on how frequently you cycle, how long you cycle for and your usual speeds.

Let’s look at these in detail:

Wide Bicycle Tires Vs Narrow Bike Tires

For the average cyclist who prefers to comfortably, going in for a wide bicycle tire makes a lot of sense (For road bikes, anything above 28 mm width is usually considered as ‘wide’). This is because the benefits of a wider tire are clearly apparent at normal speeds, say less than 30 kmph or 18 mph.

However, if you usually ride faster than these speeds, then, you might find wider tires to be a bit cumbersome. At higher speeds, the benefits of having a wider tire become less apparent. That is why, at the start of this post, I said that wide tires are better for the average cyclist.

So, how do you decide on the wide vs narrow tire debate? By understanding the key differences:

1. Wider Tires Go Faster Than Narrow Tires (Mostly).

This happens because wide tires have a larger surface area of the tire that is in contact with the road. This produces less rolling resistance, which in turn, helps the bike go faster.

The trade-off though is the increased weight of the bicycle tire and the aerodynamic drag due to the larger tire size, which might make you slower, if you tend to ride at high speeds (more than 30 kmph or 18 mph). You might find that narrow tires are more useful in this case, but it takes a fair bit of trial and error.

2. Wide Tires Require Less Effort To Pedal

In continuation with point number 1, because wide tires produce less rolling resistance, you can effectively go faster by expending less energy, which means you can go for longer rides without getting as tired. Now, exactly how much of a difference this will make depends on person to person, but it should be noticeable.

3. Wider Bike Tires Are More Comfortable

Wider bicycle tires have a higher volume of air stored inside than narrow bike tires. This makes for a more comfortable ride as it will cushion your ride more.

4. Wider Bicycle Tires Are Safer.

Due to the increased surface area of the tire that is in contact with the road, you will find that wider tires offer better grip, especially while rounding corners. This is especially important if you’re cycling on wet roads.

5. Wide Tires Are Less Prone To Punctures

This is simply because of the higher volume of air stored inside wide tires which makes it harder for anything to pierce through.

Now, do remember that this doesn’t mean that you ride your road bike offroad simply because it’s got wider tires!

6. Wide Tires Require Disc Brakes

You won’t be able to truly feel the benefits of wide tires unless you have disc brakes on your bike. This is because the calliper brakes don’t really allow you to go for tires wider than 25-28 mm usually.

If you don’t have disc brakes, you can consider converting your rim or calliper brakes into disc brakes. Here’s a detailed video on how to do this:

Wide Vs Narrow Bike Tire- What’s The Final Word?

It really depends on how fast you want to ride and how much comfort you’re looking for.

The speed differences might not vary as drastically if you switch, say between a size 25 to a size 28 tire. However, the increased comfort might offset the whole decision for you. Generally speaking, most beginner cyclists will end up liking wider bike tires.

Even if you are an experienced cyclist, I’ll strongly suggest you try a wide bike wheel and see if it makes a difference.

Can You Put Any Size Bicycle Wheel On Your Bike?

While you do have a bit of flexibility if you want to shift to a different tire width, there are three main limiting factors :

1. Type of Brakes. If you have a road bike with disc brakes, your tire size can usually go up to 32 mm but if you have the caliper brakes then you will at most be able to go up to size 25-28 mm.
2. Width Of Tire Rim. You’ll need to check your manufacturer specifications if your tire rim will fit your desired tire size. Generally, for road bikes, tire rims are in the 17-21 mm range which will allow you to fit tires upto 28 mm.
3. Type Of Tire Rim. There are two types of tire rims- hooked tire rims (for tubeless and clincher tires) as well as hookless tire rims (only for tubeless tires). Finding the right tire also depends on whether it is compatible with the type of tire rim that you have.

What Pressure Should A Wide Bicycle Tire Be At?

Usually, for wide bicycle tires, having a pressure of approximately 50-60 psi will be sufficient. The lower pressure requirement is due to the fact that the bike tube has a larger volume of air inside it than narrower tires. In fact, few studies have also found that wide tires at slightly lower air pressures go even faster.

What Is the Best Road Bike Tire Size?

Most road bike owners people prefer a tire size in the range of 25 mm – 28 mm. It is purely a personal preference though, and you may find riding with an even wider tire is more comfortable.