The article discusses the rise in popularity of wider tyres in WorldTour cycling, particularly 40mm options, which recent tests suggest can significantly improve speed on cobbled surfaces. Mathieu van der Poel, a prominent cyclist, remarked on the shift in tyre sizes, admitting his previous preference for narrower 28mm tyres but recognizing their advantages. Recent testing by Cyclingnews demonstrated that wider tyres reduce rolling resistance and allow for lower pressures, resulting in significant wattage savings, making them increasingly appealing for demanding race conditions like the Classics.
In the world of WorldTour bike tech, trends can shift rapidly, with wider tyres, particularly 40mm, showing potential speed advantages, especially on cobbled surfaces.
Mathieu van der Poel acknowledged the shift to wider tyres, mentioning he was slow to adopt the trend but recognizes the benefits, such as lower pressure and better traction.
Testing compared tyres from Pirelli's lineup from 26mm to 40mm, revealing that 40mm tyres can save over 70 watts on cobbled surfaces, a significant performance boost.
With Paris-Roubaix approaching, Van der Poel has access to 40mm tyres but notes that he still prefers the feel of narrower tyres for now.
Collection
[
|
...
]