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One of the confusions is the difference between "faster" and "rolling resistance" and "feels faster"
I think feels faster is largely put to bed. We use to think that harsh skipping feeling was fast, we now know its not
Although I agree that tyre rolling resistance measurements aren't perfect it seem pretty clear that bigger tyres have less rolling resistance. This is exactly what you would expect once you understand where rolling resistance comes from
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/specials/grand-prix-5000-comparison
There is a Gp4000 comparison as well I think
But of course rolling resistance isn't the whole story. In a fast group tiny amounts of acceleration differences matter so weight is a factor. But most importantly bigger tyres are less aerodynamic. Whci is why cobbles aside 25mm is the norm for the pros. When you’re as slow as me aero matters less hence the balloon tyres
38c GKs fitted, 50PSI. And the answer to my question is...
Every bit as fast as the tyres that came off. With a 'bit' of a tailwind, the morning commute was within 10% of my fastest time, and the fastest I've done in the last month, with a 2nd fastest time on one section. Journey home was a lot more leisurely for various reasons, but just as quick as most of my journeys over the past month. Excellent. £56 well spent. I'll hack up the towpath when it dries out a tad and I've built some tubeless wheels.
FWIW they weighed in at 328 and 329g. Not too shabby at all.
I suspect any loss in speed was balanced out by the 47% increase in awesome that the tanwalls bought to the party.
https://imgur.com/8GVuCYY
Thanks all 🙂
Only downer is I now need to do the 4d jigsaw of trying to stop the 'previously ample clearance' guards rubbing.