Just because wide tyres offer the ability to be run at lower pressure with the same rolling resistance, doesn’t necessarily make them the ideal choice for each and every scenario. One element that many bike brands have been taking into account recently is how the width of the tyre integrates aerodynamically with the frame.

Previously in, for example, a time trial bike the norm was to install the thinnest possible tyres because they have the smallest frontal area. But now, the aerodynamics of a bike as an entire system is the key concern – just look at Trek, Specialized and Scott’s new aero road bikes – and it’s possible narrow tyres may leave too large a gap between tyre and frame creating unwanted turbulence. Similarly, tyres that are too narrow on modern wide rims can disrupt the airflow around tyre and rim.

As for pressure, “narrow tyres are run at higher pressures, which makes them less comfortable,” explains Dave Taylor. “However, narrow tyres at high pressure have an advantage over wide tyres at high speeds as they provide less air resistance.”

“Above all, a bicycle with narrow tyres at high pressure is much easier to accelerate because the rotating mass of the wheels is lower and the bicycle is more agile. The importance of this becomes most noticeable when you’re riding in a fast group and have to accelerate from 20-40km/h after a sharp turn in order to keep up with the others. But on a ride at a constant speed of, say, 20km/h the ride is better with wider tyres. In practice, the energy saving of wider tyres is even greater than in theory as the elasticity of the tyres absorbs road shocks which would otherwise be transferred to the rider, which therefore saves energy.

“Pro road racers are tending towards wider tyres more and more. The 18 and 20mm widths are hardly available now and instead of the standard width of 23mm the pros are going for 24 and 25mm widths.”