Bike tires determine the performance of your bicycle, including how it manages the roads. The tire size is an essential part to consider during your selection, and here is a comparison of 28mm vs 32mm tires to ease your decision-making.
Which one is better for road biking?
28mm tires are lighter, narrower, and hold more air pressure making them better suited for road biking, especially on smoother, well-paved roads. On the other hand, 32mm tires have extra width and lower air pressure, providing better shock absorption that’s key in off-road riding.
Since the tires are the only part that comes into contact with the ground in a bicycle, you need to make sure it performs exceptionally. Therefore, don’t shop for your new bicycle tires impulsively or take your selection lightly.
28mm Vs 32mm Tires Comparison (Looking at Their Characteristics)
Taking a closer look at 28mm and 32mm tires helps when contemplating getting either. The information you gather will ensure you pick the right size based on your riding style.
Here’s what you’ll need to check.
1. Acceleration
28mm tires outshine 32mm tires when it comes to acceleration because of their lightweight nature, which translates to a low rotational mass. This simply means the narrow tires spin much easier since they have less material to rotate.
This contributes to why pro cyclists tend to go for narrow tires, with the 25mm being the standard choice currently. You will appreciate the greater acceleration you get from a slimmer tire if you enjoy bike racing.
Consider Continental Contact Plus Bike Tire (amazon link) if you want 28mm tires for your roadie and love riding fast. These paths and roads all-rounder tires have excellent puncture protection, breaker lining and are performance-r75 certified.
On the flip side, higher acceleration speed may not be crucial for off-roading. Hence, you might want to choose the 32mm tires because they are better suited for that type of cycling.
2. Weight
28mm tires are generally lighter and narrower than 32mm tires, with the average weight being 287g and 342. 125g, respectively.
Below is a weight comparison of different 28mm and 32mm bicycle tire models.
| Tire Model | 28mm Weight | 32mm Weight | Difference |
| Donnelly LGG | 290g | 382g | 31.7% |
| Continental GatorSkin | 300g | 350g | 16.6% |
| Continental UltraSport | 295g | 400g | 35.5% |
| Continental GatorHardshell | 410g | 450g | 9.75% |
| Schwalbe Lugano II Active | 310g | 400g | 29% |
| Continental Contact Urban | 400g | 445g | 11.25% |
| Panaracer Pasela ProTite | 280g | 350g | 25% |
| Vittoria Zaffiro | 440g | 480g | 9% |
| Cont. Grand Prix 4-Season | 280g | 320g | 14.2% |
| Average | 20.12% |
Based on these figures, on average, 28mm tires weigh 20% more than 32mm tires.
3. Rolling Resistance
When operating under the same air pressure, a 28mm tire has a higher rolling resistance than a 32mm tire. Wider tires tend to roll easily, stay round, and are not prone to deforming under pressure.
On the contrary, narrower tires’ deformation covers a greater length and portrays more significant deformation, hurting their rolling resistance.
However, remember this scenario only apply to similar tire models with matching air pressure.
Narrower tires like 28mm often have higher PSIs to prevent deformation and minimize the rolling resistance while operating on roads.
It’s unlikely that an average cyclist will notice the rolling resistance disparity between 32mm and 28mm tires while doing their daily commute.
However, for a smoother ride, go for the Continental Grand Prix 4 (amazon link). It is reliable, easy to install, offers outstanding cornering, and is available in 28mm.
4. Air Pressure
Let’s look at the amount of air pressure some 28mm and 32mm tire models can support.
95-116 PSI85-102 PSI12%
| Tire Model | 28mm tire Pressure | 32mm tire Pressure | Difference |
| Continental UltraSport 3 | 80-116 PSI | 65-102 PSI | 12% |
| Donnelly Tire Strada LGG | 85-105 PSI | 40-80 PSI | 23.8% |
| Continental GatorHardshell | 95-116 PSI | 85-102 PSI | 12% |
| Continental GatorSkin | |||
| Continental Contact Urban | 80-110 PSI | 65-94 PSI | 14.5% |
| Cont. Grand Prix 4-Season | 95-115 PSI | 85-102 PSI | 11% |
| Panaracer Pasela ProTite | maximum 115 PSI | maximum 95 PSI | 17% |
| Average | 14.6% |
On average, a 28mm bike tire can support 14.6% more air pressure than a 32mm tire.
The strengths and weaknesses of 28mm and 32mm tires will help you identify what to expect from these tires. I will explore each option, beginning with the 28mm tires.
28mm Vs 32mm Tires: Pros And Cons
28mm Tires Pros
- 28mm tires are faster and more aerodynamic, making them quicker on smooth roads. This is because they are lighter, narrower, and hold more air pressure.
- They accelerate faster because they have less rotational mass.
- The slim figure of 28mm tires allows them to be used on numerous forks and frames. Additionally, the additional space facilitates a more straightforward fenders installation.
Cons
- Thinners tires are typically more challenging to insert into the rim or remove from it, making roadside tire change quite frustrating. The degree of difficulty depends on the tire structure and model.
- A 28mm tire will transmit road irregularities to you at a greater precision compared to their 32mm counterparts, making them uncomfortable.
- They are not ideal for off-road riding. The high PSI makes 28 mm tires hard; hence, they bounce off obstacles, making the ride dangerous and uncomfortable.
32mm Tires Pros
- They perform better on off-road, light-gravel, or dirt terrains since they provide excellent shock absorption capabilities.
- 32mm tires have more extensive contact with the ground, making you feel more secure and stable when negotiating a sharp corner.
- They are better for transporting cargo because they raise the bicycle’s stability and lower the stress exerted on the frame.
- 32mm tires provide a softer ride, are more forgiving and don’t put a lot of strain on your joints. Thus, they are ideal for cyclists with elbow, back, shoulder, or wrist pain.
- They are more pleasant and safer to use in cities or towns with imperfect roads.
- Wider tires save you the energy you would spend avoiding road bumps, minimizing your fatigue levels hence allowing you to ride longer.
32mm Tires Cons
- 32mm tires’ larger diameter and overall circumference make them less effective at climbing.
- They are less aerodynamic.
- 32mm tires require more clearance, which makes them compatible with fewer forks and frames.
- You may feel sluggish when you switch from 28mm tires to 32mm tires.
FAQs
1. Are 28mm Tires Faster Than 32mm?
28mm tires accelerate faster and provide more speed on smooth roads. This is because they are narrower, lighter, and support more air pressure, making them more aerodynamic.
Although you will ride faster with 28mm tires, this option comes with its drawbacks. These tires make for a harsher ride and provide less grip when riding off-road.
2. Are 32mm Tires Slow?
32mm tires are slower than 28mm tires due to their minimal rotational mass. You may feel sluggish after changing your bicycle tires from 28mm to 32mm.
3. Can I Put 28mm Tires On My Road Bike?
You can put 28 mm tires on a road bicycle but ensure your frame and brake clearance allows before doing so. It’s essential to check your bike’s clearance because most roadies come with 23mm tires with an outer clearance of 52 teeth.
4. Are 32mm Tires Enough For Gravel?
32mm tires are wide enough to ride gravel but make sure you consider the ruggedness of the trail. Remember that rougher roads require bigger treads.
If you typically ride mostly on tarmacked roads with a few sections of gravel, go for 28mm to 32mm tires.
Bottom Line
When it comes to 28mm vs 32mm tires for your bicycle, you need to consider your riding style and terrain.
If you value quick acceleration and higher speed than comfort, 28mm tires are the obvious choice. These tires offer better performance on paved, well-maintained roads.
32mm tires are more suitable for riders who cherish comfortable rides rather than going fast. You will appreciate their performance more on gravel, off-road, or dirt roads.
However, that doesn’t mean 32mm tires don’t work on roads, but make sure your bike’s fork, frame, and rims have enough clearance before fitting them.
