[Lombard]

It might FEEL slower but there are plenty of studies showing that for a compliant casing tire, it won't BE slower. The FEEL faster mindset is how we got to running 120 psi with narrow road tires at the expense of traction, comfort, and tire wear with zero benefit for speed.

Yup. You feel faster when you're bouncing like a bucking bronco.

TBO, I cannot tell a difference in speed between 25mm and 28mm tires. I do notice 28's have a nicer ride. Nor can I tell a difference in comfort or speed between Vittoria Rubinos and Corsas.

 

[Lombard]

The issue with tires bigger than 32c is that these tires tend to be thick, people who buy 32c tires buy them for gravel, and as such, they're thick. Manufacturers don't make 32c+ tire with thin casing, they just don't because nobody will buy a soft and thinly cased 32+c tire.

Wrong:

700C x 32 Stampede Pass Tire

www.renehersecycles.com

 

[Lombard]

Not what the data show in the real world (not on lab rollers). Suggest you get a subscription to Bicycle Quarterly and learn about the extensive research in this area. They have been leaders in providing the field data that has led to the transition from 19-21 mm tires to 28-30 mm tires in the pro peloton. Of course there is a weight penalty for ever-bigger tires and that shows up when you are constantly jumping speeds, though that extra energy is returned to the rider because heavier wheels/tires don't slow down as fast when you let off on the pedal pressure. Wider tires have different pneumatic trail and so there comes a point where the bike needs to be designed differently to get the best performance on wider tires. Rene Herse' has a wide selection of wider tires with very compliant casings and those tires are winning lots of gravel events. Anybody who rides a gravel bike in a crit should expect to lose. Horses for courses.

There is the real world and then there is @aclinjury 's world. Very different worlds. FWIW, it looks like he got a posting vacation.

 

[Lombard]

Thank you for the information. My hesitation is the bike has hook-less-sidewall rims & apparently it's recommended to still use tubeless-compatible tyres for bead profile. This seems to be a limitation with this particular model. I could just put in an inner tube but other reviews indicate the current stock tire is very difficult to take off/on & reseat especially on the road. Thanks for your help.

Well this changes the story. I don't believe hookless rims can be used with tubes.

 

[Lombard]

Sure they can. Any tire can be used with a tube. Giant even says so.
You can only use hookless tires on hookless rims.

Giant Hookless Technology | Giant Bicycles US

www.giant-bicycles.com

If necessary, you may use an inner tube on a Giant hookless rim, so long as the tire you are using has passed the Giant test protocol. However, please note that Giant hookless rims are designed to perform best when set up as tubeless and used without an inner tube.

https://support.zipp.com/hc/en-us/articles/7868244824731-Can-you-run-a-tube-in-a-Zipp-hookless-rim-with-a-tubeless-tire-

Yes

Hookless vs Hooked: An Explainer

The question in the minds of many riders - what is the difference between hooked and hookless?

us.huntbikewheels.com

Yes, you can! But you must only do this in a tubeless-ready tire that is safe for use on hookless rims

I don't think anyone makes a tube specific hookles tires. The whole purpose of them is to run tubeless at lower pressures.
And remember... hookless tires usually have a maximum pressure of 72.5psi (5 bar)

Honestly, if you're intent on using tubes, I'd get rid of the wheels and get hooked rims.
You're not going to get great performance from a hookless tire with a tube in it.

I stand corrected.