If Wider Road Bike Tyres Are Better, Why Not Go SUPER Wide?!

Summary by Krater

The hosts test 26mm, 35mm, and 50mm road bike tires on a descent in Cheddar Gorge to see how tire width affects cornering speed, confidence, and agility, concluding that the 35mm tire provides the best balance of performance and comfort.

From the video

Answers: Are wider road bike tires faster and more stable when cornering and descending?

• road bike tire width comparison
• cornering speed on bicycles
• tire pressure optimization
• bike handling and confidence
• Cheddar Gorge descent

What it concludes

• Wider tires provide more grip, comfort, and rolling resistance benefits, leading to higher confidence when cornering.
• The 35mm tire proved to be the fastest overall across the 1.5 km descent, coming in at 1 minute 58 seconds.
• The 26mm tire was the slowest at 2 minutes 4 seconds due to vibrations and rolling resistance.
• The 50mm tire recorded a time of 2 minutes 2 seconds, ranking second behind the 35mm tire.
• Most road cyclists would benefit from using a slightly wider tire, such as 35mm, to improve control and comfort without a negative impact on overall riding.