I think that there is another problem though; grip.
These low rolling resistance tyres are all slicks. I like the comfort and low rolling resistance of my 35mm voyager hypers, but they have a big, slick contact patch, and if I ride up something slimy, they slip.
If I were riding on 25mm tyres, the higher pressure per unit area would get more grip in those conditions.
So true and thanks for pointing this out. I have to admit that until your post I hadn't made the connection between wide slick tyres and lack of grip. I rode LEL this year on 42mm slicks and was truly scared at the lack of grip in the wet. However they were really fast and comfy on dry roads where my sphincter wasn't going "sixpence... half a crown"
thats where tubeless comes into play ....
I'm currently using the 2017 IRC Formula Pro RBCC tubeless on my Hed Belgium Plus rims .... amazing grip, roll fast, grip like superglue and have good puncture resistance .... they also last long .... I opted for the 25mm which measure 25mm on my rims and I use 70 psi for the front and 75 psi for the rear (some people use less pressure, but this is what works best for me .... i.e speed and comfy ride)... no worries about pinch flats, and punctures self seal with the Orange sealant
The 2017 IRC Formula Pro RBCC tubeless are not the fastest rolling of the IRC, and I'm using these for my winter riding (I would use these on long rides such as LEL and PBP and other long rides)
However, in Spring, I will switch to the IRC Roadlite Tubeless, which are much lighter and roll faster. I have however read, that they are a bit wider than what is advertised, so I will get the 23's and they should measure 25mm which will be perfect for my rims
There's a few more tubeless tyres that I want to try, such as the Hutchinson Fusion 5 Galactik and a few others
so .... IMHO, tubeless tyres are the way forward. I'm seriously considering buying a used Scott Addict 10 that I will use for some audax rides aswell as commuting, and the first thing that I will do is have some dent light wheels built, with a Dynamo hub, but the rims will be tubeless ready
Tubulars will be phased out very soon (nothing new being developed/offered for a long while now).