Is 32mm too wide for a road bike?
Most modern road bikes can fit 32 mm tires, and that is a very good thing. Even featherweight pro racers are on 30 mm tires—a little extra width makes sense for the rest of us. You still get the ‘connected-to-the-road’ feel that makes road bikes so much fun, without harshness, even on rough pavement. For many years, the standard road bicycle tyre width for optimum performance was 23mm. The primary reason for this was not bicycle rolling resistance, but air resistance. However, these days, most road riders use 25 or 28mm tyres.
Are 32mm tyres slower than 28mm?
Speed: There’s a trade-off between comfort and speed when choosing tire size. Narrower tires like 28mm can be faster but may not provide the same level of comfort as wider options like 32mm. Think about where you want to strike that balance. However, 25mm tires might still offer lower resistance on ultra-smooth asphalt at higher speeds. Verdict: 28mm often wins on real-world roads.
What is the 3% tire rule?
The 3% rule states that when replacing tires, the new tire’s diameter should not differ from the original by more than 3%. This guideline helps maintain proper vehicle performance, safety system functionality, and speedometer accuracy. The 105% rule says that the external rim width of your wheel should be at least 105% of your tire’s actual measured width. This ratio allows the airflow to remain attached as it moves from the tire onto the rim, reducing drag and making your bike more aerodynamic.