THE RIGHT TIRES

Today, the technology and advancements in the development of bicycle tires and rims have advanced by leaps and bounds. Less than 10 years ago, we were all still wedded to using 23mm wide tires inflated to the max, but development and research have completely changed that perspective. Although, especially for local cyclists in Cancún, we still find it hard to believe that a wide tire at lower pressure is faster than a narrow, overinflated one, the reality is that it is, and it's much faster.

 

There are many serious studies that support this, which we can find on YouTube and other social media. For racing on stamped cement or cobblestone, you can ride any rim width on your road bike: 23mm, 25mm, 28mm, and 30mm can be used by adjusting the tire pressure to achieve greater traction and grip. If you're looking for a recommendation for optimal tire use in competition, then the recommendation is to use 28mm or 30mm tires. These tires offer greater comfort by absorbing impacts from uneven roads, improve traction, and allow for lower tire pressure for greater comfort.

 

DETAILED EXPLANATION:

 

• GREATER COMFORT

Wider tires have a larger contact surface with the ground, allowing for reduced air pressure and fully absorbing vibrations from stamped concrete and even more so from cobblestones, resulting in a much more comfortable experience for road cyclists competing or training. It's not for nothing that Formula One cars and racing motorcycles have such wide tires; the basic principle is the same.

 

• MUCH BETTER TRACTION

With more contact surface, that is, with wider road tires, much better adherence to the ground is offered, which results in much better traction and much better cornering, especially in conditions where the surface of the material is cement or dry concrete, since in this material, due to its density and finish, it allows you to obtain much greater adherence than on the same black pavement that we use on the streets, because it is as if you were rolling on sandpaper. Even with wet stamped cement, wide tires allow you much greater control and stability.

 

• LOWER TIRE PRESSURE

Wider tires allow for lower tire pressures without compromising rolling resistance, further improving comfort and impact absorption. In fact, pros ride on 28mm tires and use pressures ranging from 40 to 80 psi, depending on the type of surface they'll be racing on. The smoother the surface, the higher the pressure; the rougher the surface, the lower the pressure

 

• COMMON WIDTHS

Professional cyclists typically use 28mm or 30mm tires to compete on paved roads, cement roads, stamped concrete, cobblestones, and even dirt roads; and this trend has spread to other cyclists seeking a more comfortable and efficient experience in these conditions. This has led to short-course cobblestone races currently enjoying widespread popularity around the world. For competitions like Paris-Roubaix, professional cyclists are using 40mm and wider tires, achieving incredible speeds with them.

 

• OTHER ALTERNATIVES

Although 28mm and 30mm rims are the most recommended, 25mm or even 23mm rims can also be used in some cases, depending on the rider's preferences and the characteristics of the race; of course, always considering adjusting the tire pressure level.

 

CONCLUSIONS

When choosing a tire width for racing on stamped cement, you should prioritize comfort, traction, and impact absorption. 28mm or 30mm tires are an excellent choice for achieving these goals and helping you achieve better results in your competitions.