So, are we going to see 2.2" tyres in the Rubaix this year? I don’t think so.
If they made the route go entirely over cobbles, then you can bet they WOULD be using really wide tyres (or possibly even using an XC mountain bike type)
As it is, when (real cyclists) have actually tested and timed the route, what they found is that the fat tyres gave the fastest speeds over the cobbles, but the narrower road tyres were faster on smooth tarmac. As there are huge sections of fast roads in the race, the competitors don't go mad with the ultra wide tyres as they want to keep fairly aero.
Your mantra of use thin tyres and pump them up as hard as you can, only applies to ultra smooth surfaces like a velodrome. We aren't talking about riding in a velodrome!
We aren't talking about riding over cobbles either, but if you had to categorise the majority of Uk roads .... setting your bike up towards the cobbles side of things makes a lot more sense!
I reduced my tyres from 2" to 1 1/4. There's a massive difference in resistance, which is immediately obvious. Your theory can say whatever it likes. Instead of spoutng theory, why don't you try it, then come back and tell us the results like I did?
You think its 'immediately' obvious, but its not.
For one thing, what the testing has found is that it FEELS faster with skinny hard tyres (because you feel every bump and imperfection in the road), but when they look at the timing data, it tells a different story.
We're talking about riding a bike on the road, not through a muddy field.
You are the only one talking about riding through a muddy field.
I don’t get some of you guys. It's like you're trying to score points in a competition of intellectual masturbation by finding spurious links to what you can find with Google that doesn’t agree with what somebody said. What we need is real world experience and data. If you find a theory, go and test it before passing it on. Then you're talking from a point of authority and knowledge, but make sure you cover relevance and context.
Relevance and context is the reason the OP should not be thinking about the old and outmoded view of putting thin tyres pumped up to the max on his commuting bike.
Hard data from scientists and mechanics in the field, along with personal experience of using many different types of tire myself is the reason I no longer use thin, hard tyres if I want to go fast. Instead, go wider, but get a high quality, supple tyre carcass without energy sapping knobby tread, and a rubber compound that is designed for decent grip but low rolling resistance.
You'll have a much more comfortable ride, you won't go slower, and this will also give you better puncture protection than thin, hard tyres - relevance and context (as the OP requested this as well).
