Tire Performance 700X25 vs 700X28 (Here's The Difference)

Picking out the right tire for your bicycle can be a bit difficult, especially for new cyclists. There are so many different types and sizes to choose from. Knowing which tires are right for your bicycle can make a difference in the quality of your ride.

When it comes to the difference between 700X25 tires and 700X28 tires, most cyclists don’t notice a real difference in performance. Pro racers may be able to tell a slight difference, but most leisure riders won’t notice.

The one thing that sets them apart is that the 700X28 tire provides a more comfortable ride since it runs at a lower pressure. This really isn’t noticeable unless the cyclist is going at a higher speed.

Another difference between the two is the gearing. The 700X28 has higher gearing. With this tire, you will be able to cover more ground per times that you’ve spun the pedal than you could with the 700X25. However, you can go faster with the smaller 700X25 tire.

Depending on the age of your bike you may only be able to have a 700X25 tire. Until more recent years the majority of road bikes were designed to only be able to upgrade to tires as high as 700X25. You will need to have a newer model bike if you plan to upgrade to a 700X28.

If you are planning to cover a lot of mileage with your bike then the small difference that the 700X28 tire could play a big impact on your travels. Getting the right bicycle tire isn’t expensive but it is important so you can always have a comfortable ride. Let’s take a further look at the differences between the 700X25 and the 700X28 tires.

Rolling Resistance: 700X25 vs 700X28

Your bike’s tire needs to be built to have strong rolling resistance. The rolling resistance is the energy that your bicycle’s tires need to keep moving at a steady speed. Most cyclists have noticed that when both tires are inflated to their ideal pressure that there is no real difference between them.

It seems as though the weight and size of the cyclist play a bigger impact on the tire’s rolling resistance than the difference in size between tires.

When put to the test to see if there was any difference in each tire’s performance in the air resistance there was not much of a difference either. The 700X28 was approximately faster by 0.02 mph, which most bikers don’t notice when they’re pedaling at an average speed.

Where the riding between the two tires really differs is the 10 % weight difference of the 700X28. Since it is slightly heavier by 10 %, it makes your tire’s performance 10 % better. This means that there is a very slight difference in rim protection, ride safety, mileage, and weight.

For most users that extra 10 % is not noticeable enough to bother upgrading from 700X25 to 700X28. However, more experienced cyclists who use their bikes as their main source of transportation may appreciate the slight difference this makes to their ride.

700X25 vs 700X28: More Information

Here are some more things you should know about the differences between 700X25 and 700X28:

Calculating Differences In Gear Speeds

There is a slight difference in gear speeds which allows you to cover more miles in a fast amount of time. To figure out how much of a difference there is, calculate the outer diameter with your cadence. Your cadence is how many times you turn the pedal within a certain time.

Why Cyclist Prefer The Slight Difference The 700X28 Makes

The 700X28 makes for a softer and more comfortable ride. This is essential if you take your bikes over a lot of bumps and around a lot of turns. If you take your bike on off-road adventures often then these tires could be the better choice for you.

Why Other Cyclists Prefer The 700X25

The 700X28 may be a more comfortable ride, but the 700X25 can get you to your destination faster. In the lab, 700X28 proved to be faster, but when put to test on the road the 700X25 proves to have more speed. The average biker can cut 12 minutes off of a 100-mile ride.