Updated on 9 November 2026. The recommended products are available at the time of this update.
For many road cyclists, 28 mm tyres are a good starting point; consider 30 or 32 mm tyres for greater comfort on rough roads, if your rims and frame can accommodate them. 25 mm tyres remain a sensible choice for bikes that accommodate narrower tyres and for smooth tarmac, but they are not automatically faster.
25, 28, 30 and 32 mm: what changes
Width affects air volume, usable pressures and space requirements. To compare two tyre widths properly, however, you also need to consider the model, casing, rim and load carried.
- 25 mm: compact dimensions, useful on some road bikes with limited clearance. With the same model and load, they generally require higher pressure than wider tyres, leaving less scope to absorb bumps.
- 28 mm: a balanced choice for training and rides on tarmac. They offer more volume than 25 mm tyres without taking up as much space as a 32.
- 30 mm: worth considering for long rides and uneven tarmac. They generally allow lower pressures than narrower tyres while maintaining adequate support for the load.
- 32 mm: prioritise air volume and comfort when comparing these four sizes. They require particularly careful checks of frame, fork and brake clearance.
Rolling performance: does narrower mean faster?
Not always. On rough tarmac, an overinflated tyre transmits more impacts and vibrations to the bike and rider. A wider tyre, at an appropriate pressure, can follow surface irregularities better and roll smoothly while also providing comfort.
On smooth surfaces and at high speeds, the aerodynamics of the tyre and rim combination also matter. A 32 mm tyre is therefore not always faster than a 25, just as a 25 does not win simply because it is narrower.
Width alone cannot predict grip or puncture resistance either: compound, construction and pressure play an important role.
How to read 700x28c and 28-622
The markings on the sidewall describe the nominal size; they do not guarantee the actual width once fitted.
- 28-622: this is the ETRTO size. The first number indicates the nominal width in millimetres; 622 is the diameter of the bead seat on the rim, also in millimetres.
- 700x28c: this is the corresponding traditional designation. In this case, it indicates a tyre with a nominal width of 28 mm for wheels commonly called 700c.
- The letter c: belongs to the traditional naming system and does not indicate the internal rim width.
A 25-622 and a 32-622 share the same fitting diameter, but this alone does not make them interchangeable on your bike. The rim width and available clearance must also be compatible.
How to choose
- Start with the roads you ride. On smooth tarmac, you can consider 25 or 28 mm tyres. For rough surfaces and long hours in the saddle, consider 30 or 32 mm tyres, if your bike allows them.
- Consider the total load. The rider, bike and luggage determine the support required. A wider tyre can help carry the load without resorting to excessively high pressures.
- Check the rim. Look for the internal width and permitted tyre combinations in the wheel instructions. External width is no substitute for internal width.
- Check the frame, fork and brakes. Follow the maximum size and minimum clearances specified by their respective manufacturers. Disc brakes alone do not guarantee enough clearance for a 32 mm tyre.
- Choose the fitting system. Tube type requires an inner tube; tubeless ready requires a compatible system for use without an inner tube. On hookless rims, which have no bead hooks, specifically check the permitted tyre, width and pressure limits.
- Adjust the pressure after changing tyres. Do not automatically use the pressure from your 25 tyre on the 32 mm tyre. Observe the limits of all components and adjust inflation to suit the load, actual width and route.
To explore these last two points further, read what pressure to inflate your bike tyres to and the differences between tubeless and inner tubes.
How to check actual width, internal rim width and frame clearance
The same tyre can have different widths on different rims. A wider internal rim width tends to make the tyre wider, but there is no fixed adjustment that applies to every model.
- Identify the internal rim width: read the rim specifications or markings. If the information is missing, measure between the inner surfaces of the rim channel with the tyre removed, rather than across the outer edges of the wheel.
- Measure the fitted tyre: once it has seated correctly, inflate it to your riding pressure and use a calliper at the widest point, without compressing the sidewalls. Check again after it has initially settled.
- Check the height too: a wider tyre may also sit taller. Check the clearance at the fork crown and frame bridges.
- Inspect areas with limited clearance: check both sides at the frame stays and fork, any rim brake calliper and the mudguards.
- Spin the wheel: check the point with the least clearance around the entire circumference, with the wheel centred and secured correctly.
Clearance is the free space between the tyre and the bike's components. Simply ensuring that the tyre does not touch anything when stationary is not enough: the specified clearances are needed to allow for tolerances, flex and debris. If you cannot find the guidance, have the fit checked by a workshop before using a wider tyre.
Our recommendations, available now
Here are six options from our selection of road bike tyres, with different widths and fitting systems.
Continental Grand Prix 5000 25-622 700x25c Black/Transparent Folding Tyre
For riders looking for a 25 mm road tyre for use with an inner tube. This folding version has a BlackChili compound, Vectran Breaker and a 330 TPI casing.
Continental Grand Prix 5000 Folding Tyre 28-622 700x28 Black
Suitable for rides and training on tarmac, this is a 28 mm folding tyre for use with an inner tube on clincher rims. The product specifications list a BlackChili compound, Vectran protection and a three-layer 330 TPI casing.
Continental Grand Prix 5000 Tyre 30-622 (700x30c) Black
An option for training and long road rides, in a 30 mm width. It is a folding tube-type tyre with a Black Chili compound and a stated weight of 260 grams.
Pirelli P7 Sport Tyre
Designed for training and everyday rides on 700c road bikes, it comes in widths of 28c and 32c, as well as 24c and 26c. It has a PROCompound compound, a 60 TPI nylon casing and a cut-resistant layer beneath the tread.
Vittoria Corsa N.EXT G2.0 Tubeless Ready Tyre
For riders looking for a tubeless ready tyre for racing and fast rides, with sizes including 28, 30 and 32 mm. It has a 100 TPI nylon casing and a 2C Graphene 2.0 compound; the product specifications list hookless compatibility from size 28c upwards, which must also be checked against the wheel used.
Pirelli P Zero Road Tubeless Ready Tyre
For road riders who want a tubeless ready model in widths of 28, 30 or 32 mm. It features a 120 TPI casing with a TechLINER lining and a stated weight of 293 grams in size 700x28c.
If you buy online, you can find shipping information in our shipping policy.
We help you find the right tyre width in Casapulla
Bring your bike to our shop in Casapulla, in the province of Caserta: we can check the rims and clearances, assess the fit and adjust the pressure. Evolution Bikes has been a family business since 1974, now in its third generation, with a workshop, bike fitting and e-bike servicing. For advice on your bike, contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Are 25 or 28 mm tyres better for a road bike?
28 mm tyres are a good starting point for many road uses, thanks to their greater air volume. 25 mm tyres remain useful on bikes with tighter clearances, but the choice must also be checked against the rim.
Are 32 mm tyres slower than 28 mm tyres?
Not necessarily: on uneven tarmac, they can reduce impacts and vibrations when inflated correctly. Speed also depends on the casing, compound, pressure and aerodynamics of the wheel and tyre combination.
Can I fit a 30 or 32 mm tyre instead of a 25?
Only if the rim, frame, fork and brakes allow it. Check the manufacturers' guidance and the actual fitted width, maintaining the specified clearances above the tyre as well.
Why does my 28 mm tyre measure more than 28 mm?
The size on the sidewall is nominal: internal rim width, pressure and construction affect the actual width. Measure it with callipers after fitting and settling, at riding pressure.
