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When choosing a new wheelset, you will encounter different rim widths. In this article, we dive deep into the topic of what rim and tire width to choose for road cycling because it’s an often-discussed topic.
KEY TAKEAWAY
If you want to future-proof yourself, choose road wheels with an internal rim width of at least 24mm and an external width of at least 30mm. These rim widths are more optimized for 28mm and wider tires, which are becoming increasingly popular. They are more comfortable and faster and provide better grip and crosswind stability. However, be sure to double-check that your frame has sufficient clearance for such wide tires.
What Is the Ideal Rim Width for Road Cycling?
Current trends suggest that the ideal internal rim width for road cycling wheels is around 25mm, with an external width of about 30mm. Rim width plays a key role in tire performance, aerodynamics, rolling resistance, and overall ride comfort. As cycling technology advances, wider rims have gained popularity. They work especially well with modern tubeless setups and wider tires, enhancing not only performance and comfort but also stability and grip.
The following table shows the wheel and tire combinations used by the teams in the 2024 Tour de France. All credit to Velo magazine for putting the info together.
| Team | Tire | Wheel | Rim Width (I/E) | Tubeless |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpecin–Deceuninck | Vittoria Corsa Pro 28 mm | Shimano | 21 mm / 26 mm | Yes |
| Arkéa–B&B Hotels | Vittoria Corsa Pro 28 mm | Vision | 21 mm / 31 mm | Yes |
| Astana Qazaqstan Team | Vittoria Corsa Pro 28 mm and 30 mm | Vision | 21 mm / 31 mm | Yes |
| Bahrain Victorious | Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR 28 mm Continental Grand Prix 5000 TT TR 28 mm | Vision | 21 mm / 31 mm | Yes |
| Cofidis | Michelin Power Cup 28 mm | Corima | 20 mm / 26 mm | No |
| Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale | Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR Continental aero tire 28 mm | Swiss Side | 20 mm / 27 mm | Yes |
| EF Education–EasyPost | Vittoria Corsa Pro 28 mm | Vision | 21 mm / 31 mm | Yes |
| Groupama-FDJ | Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR 28 mm | Shimano | 21 mm / 26 mm | Yes |
| Ineos Grenadiers | Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR 28 mm Continental Grand Prix 5000 TT TR 28 mm | Shimano | 21 mm / 26 mm | Yes |
| Israel-Premier Tech | Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR 28 mm Continental Grand Prix 5000 TT TR 28 mm | Black Inc | 23 mm / 30 mm | Yes |
| Intermarché–Wanty | Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR 28 mm Continental Grand Prix 5000 TT TR 28 mm | Newman | 24 mm / 33 mm | Yes |
| Lidl-Trek | Pirelli P Zero Race RS 28 mm | Bontrager | 23 mm / 31 mm | Yes |
| Lotto-Dstny | Vittoria Corsa Pro 30 mm | Zipp | 25 mm / 30 mm | No |
| Movistar Team | Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR 30 mm | Zipp | 25 mm / 30 mm | Yes |
| Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe | Specialized Turbo Cotton (26 mm) Specialized S-Works Turbo (26 mm) | Roval | 21 mm / 35 mm | Yes |
| Soudal-Quick Step | Specialized Turbo Cotton 26 mm | Roval | 21 mm / 35 mm | Yes |
| Team dsm–firmenich PostNL | Vittoria Corsa Pro 25 mm | Shimano | 21 mm / 26 mm | Yes |
| Team Jayco-AlUla | Vittoria Corsa Pro 30 mm | Cadex | 22.4 mm / 30 mm | Yes |
| Team Total Energies | Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR 28 mm | ENVE | 25 mm / 32 mm | Yes |
| Team Visma | Vittoria Corsa Pro 28 and 29 mm | Reserve | 24 or 25 mm / 30 mm | Yes |
| UAE Team Emirates | Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR 28 mm Continental Grand Prix 5000 TT TR 28 mm | ENVE | 25 mm / 32 mm | Yes |
| Uno-X Mobility | Schwalbe Pro One 28 mm | DT Swiss | 20 mm / 27 mm | Yes |
Source: velo.outside.com
Based on this information, you can see that not all teams adhere to the Rule of 105. I will write more about it below. Let’s now jump into the benefits and disadvantages of wider rims and tires.
What Are the Benefits of Wider Rim and Tire Width?
The main benefits of wider rims and tires in road cycling include better aerodynamics, ride comfort, grip, and crosswind stability. Let’s now explore each more in-depth.
Tire-Rim Transition and Reduced Rolling Resistance
One of the main benefits of wider rims is that they allow better tire-rim transition with wider tires, which affects aerodynamics and handling. Better transition ensures the tire maintains a nice aerofoil-like profile, reducing drag, mainly at higher speeds. I’ve included some photos below for comparison, showing narrower and wider rims with the same tire size.
When researching wheel features, you probably heard about the 105% rule, which states that the external rim width should be at least 105% of the tire’s measured width for optimal aerodynamics. This would mean that the dimensions would be as follows:
| Tire Width [mm] | Minimum External Rim Width [mm] |
|---|---|
| 20 | 21 |
| 23 | 24.15 |
| 25 | 26.25 |
| 26 | 27.3 |
| 28 | 29.4 |
| 30 | 31.5 |
| 32 | 33.6 |
| 34 | 35.7 |
But this is only a part of the equation because it doesn’t take into account the rolling resistance. The losses from vibrations on narrow tires inflated to higher pressures can be higher than the aero gains from adhering to the rule 105%. So, it’s always important to choose the right combination of rim width, tire width, and pressure.
For example, using a 34mm tire on a rim with an external width of 25mm might cause bigger aerodynamic losses than rolling resistance gains and reduced vibration losses. However, it’s also important to add that the speeds at which most hobby riders ride make this discussion a bit irrelevant. Using 28mm tires on 30mm or 25mm rims won’t make much difference.
Did you know that the same tire width inflates to different widths on different rim widths? For example, my 28mm tires can differ by up to 3mm!
Multiple tests proved that wider tires are faster. Wider rims allow tires to sit more naturally. They are also run at lower pressures, reducing energy loss from tire deformation. Silca describes this phenomenon in depth in their article. In short, when your tire is inflated to high pressures, it can’t absorb road imperfections. This leads to higher rolling resistance, which outweighs the eventual aero benefits (i.e., smaller frontal area and better airflow around the tire and rim) of narrower tires. This statement would not apply to a perfectly smooth surface like a cycling track. Here, on the other hand, it is desirable to have as little frontal area as possible since vibrations are minimal.
In the following test by NorCal cycling, 32mm tires were the fastest on real roads. I recommend watching it as it provides valuable insights. GCN came to similar conclusions.
Better Riding Comfort
Wider tires are inflated to lower pressures, which leads to lower rolling resistance, as they can better roll over road imperfections and better riding comfort. The difference was huge when I transitioned from 25 to 28mm tires. Imagine using 30 or 32-mm tires. You appreciate riding comfort, especially during long rides, as you will have more energy and won’t experience as much “ride vibration fatigue.”
Better Grip
Wider rims paired with wider tires also increase the contact patch, enhancing grip in descents or wet conditions. This is one of those benefits people don’t talk about that often, but it’s a big difference. Although I don’t push it to the limits in descents, I feel more confident on wider tires. You can often make up precious seconds in the downhills if you’re racing.
Better Crosswinds Stability
The last benefit of wider rims is better crosswind stability, assuming we are talking about the same rim depth but different width. This is achieved by a larger contact area, where the air remains “attached” to the rim longer before separating from it and causing turbulence (and, therefore, instability). Of course, deeper rims will still be less stable than shallower ones. How big is the stability difference, you ask? It’s hard to put any concrete numbers on this, but it’s noticeable, especially if you are a lighter rider like me.
What Are the Disadvantages of Wider Rim and Tire Width?
Wider rims and tires also have some drawbacks. Here’s a deeper look at the negatives:
Increased Weight
Wider rims and tires add extra material, which increases the overall weight of your bike. This extra weight can have noticeable effects on performance, particularly when accelerating, climbing, or sprinting. The added rotational mass of the wheels can make the bike feel less responsive and make it slower to accelerate. While the weight penalty might not be significant for casual riders (we are talking dozens of grams), it could matter to racers and riders who prioritize speed and agility.
Compatibility Issues
Many older road bike frames, especially those manufactured before 2020, were designed with narrower tire clearances. If your frame has a maximum clearance for 25mm or 28mm tires, it may not accommodate wider rims paired with 30mm or 32mm tires.
This issue is particularly relevant for bikes with rim brakes, as the brake calipers might not open wide enough to fit a wider rim. Disc brakes generally have better compatibility with modern wide rims and tires. If your bike doesn’t have sufficient clearance, using wider rims can result in tires rubbing against the frame or fork, making them unusable.
Bigger Frontal Area
Wider rims increase the tire’s overall frontal area. The increased surface area of the wider setup creates more air resistance, making it harder to maintain speed compared to narrower rims and tires. A narrower rim and tire setup will generally be more efficient on smooth, perfect surfaces (like velodromes), where aerodynamics and rolling resistance matter most. On roads, the lower rolling resistance usually outweighs the aero benefits.
Conclusion
The ideal rim width for road cycling depends on your riding style, preferences, and bike frame limitations. Older frames, for example, often restrict tire widths to a maximum of 25mm.
Modern trends lean toward wider tires, which require rims with an internal width of 24mm or more and an external width exceeding 30mm. This combination leads to better tire-rim transition, which improves aerodynamics. Also, wider tires (e.g., 32mm) are less prone to vibration losses because they are run at lower pressures. I currently use 28mm tires, which measure around 30mm when inflated. But I plan to try 32mm tires mainly for improved ride comfort.
Don’t worry about wider tires slowing you down because of the larger frontal area. Benefits such as ride comfort and lower vibration losses (i.e., lower rolling resistance) outweigh them. At the same time, the speeds most hobby riders ride at are not that relevant to minimizing aerodynamic drag. In other words, you probably won’t notice higher or lower aerodynamic drag from tire-rim transition on your average speed.
Pairing wider rims with wider tires offers a few more benefits. These include improved ride comfort, better grip, or enhanced crosswind stability. If you haven’t tried wider tires and rims yet, now is the time to give them a shot. You’ll likely be surprised by the overall riding experience (or at least, I was when I transitioned from 25 to 28mm tires).
