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Why You Should Switch to Wider Rims and Tires

Gone are the days when you would see the majority of the WorldTour peloton rocking 23mm tires up Alpe d'Huez. With most teams leaning towards 25mm (or larger for classics like Paris-Roubaix), wheel manufacturers and frame builders have subsequently followed suit to accommodate extra volume. This "bigger is better" trend seems to have struck a chord with both amateur cyclists and professional teams.

But why, exactly?

It sounds backwards in theory: One could justifiably assume a narrower rim and smaller tire would be lighter, more aerodynamic and therefore faster. But in actuality, new research and technologies have proved otherwise.

Without getting too lost in the data, here are five simple reasons why you should switch to wider rims and larger tires.

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