The impression given in this post is that a narrower tire is lighter and therefore faster. Not so. All else equal, the wider tire at the same pressure will have less rolling resistance. (has to do with contact patch shape and casing deformation). Similary, a wider tire at a lower pressure should have the identical rolling resistance to a narrower tire at some higher pressure. (You don't want the mathematical proof but it should be pretty easy).
It may be, though, that the casing is heavier on the wider one in this instance, so therefore rolling resistance due to casing weight (as well as added rotational weight) is counteracting the benefits of the wider tire.
For example, in clement world of early mid 1990's, the Paris Robaix felt slower to me than the narrower criterium (my guess is significantly heavier casing). But then the much wider del Mundo had the same casing I bet as the Robaix, but with the extra width the Del Mundo was faster than its narrower brother.
Mike Kone in Boulder CO
> raleypc@netscape.net wrote:
\r?\n> > I love Veloflex tubulars! If you think that the Criterium is good you should
\r?\n> try the Servio Course (210 gr 20-21 mm I think) - they really gives a magic ride
\r?\n> IMHO. I had Vittoria CX's (new ones) on my Sachs, flatted one, decided to mount
\r?\n> a pair of the used Veloflex SC's that I had around, and was suprised at the
\r?\n> difference. They really feel "lively". Who knows if they are faster but they
\r?\n> sure feel nice!
\r?\n>
\r?\n> The Servio Course is a narrower tire, so it's lighter. That's why it
\r?\n> feels faster. But it's only suitable for very good roads.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> --
\r?\n> Peter Jon White
\r?\n> Peter White Cycles
\r?\n> 24 Hall Rd.
\r?\n> Hillsborough, NH 03244
\r?\n> 603 478 0900 Phone
\r?\n> 603 478 0902 Phax
\r?\n> http://www.PeterWhiteCycles.com