My bike came with 700x37mm cx style tyres. I've had 32mm vittoria Voyager hypersensitivity up to 38mm schwalbe marathon plus tyres. One local bike shop thought the rim wouldn't take anything less than 700x 32mm. I'm looking at 28mm marathons.
I've been googling this and I'm seeing opposing views on this. One site had rims from 17 to 25 (4 rim ranges such as 17 to 29, etc) coping with 28 to 38c tyres. Another site kind of split tyre / rim combinations based on iirc 20 to 32c tyres on one typical rim range then 32 to 38 on another then 38 above another in inches though as more MTB rims.
So what's your view on tyre width on a bike specced with 35 to 38mm tyres? Could I get away with 28mm marathon plus or marathon racers/ supremes?
Btw another site on tyres did a test on 32mm to 47mm marathon plus tyres under standard conditions between the widths. It seems the optimum width for rolling resistance was 37mm. The narrower 32mm had a different feel to it with stiffer carcass and looked like it was made with a different formula as a result it had a rolling resistance greater than the next size up 37mm.
So even if I could fit 28mm is it even worth it?
Basically I'm looking for a few good tyres for different uses/ times of year. Basically good, durable, allround tyre in winter bomb proof but still rolling well, the same in a lighter, summer tyre and finally a gravel type tyre for when I hit MTB trail centres with my son (7yo so never serious MTB routes hence my so it all bike copes well).
The bike came with a cx tyre that imho rides between three 38mm marathon plus and the Vittoria Voyager hypers in 32mm. It's ok if a little slippy on mud. Plus it's got perishing side walls with cracks appearing. I'm thinking of a more nobbly 35 or possibly 38mm with my guards removed. Then I just need the other tyres. I've got marathon plus in 35 or 37/38mm. No sign of use after a year plus. The hypers are basically goosed I think. Certainly started to get too many punctures. Went two years without any then more than 2 in a month. Perhaps the marathons might be worth using as winter commuters. Leaving summer and off road tyres to choose. Or just get brand new, better options for all three uses. Can't decide and don't know what's worth getting neither.