Real-World Testing: Rim Width vs Comfort on Rough Roads

As more cyclists push beyond perfect pavement into chipseal, cobbles, and gravel, comfort has become just as important as speed. One key factor influencing ride quality is rim width—specifically the internal width of your wheelset. While lab data suggests wider rims improve tire support and volume, how does this play out in real-world conditions, especially on rough roads?

In this article, we dive into how rim width affects ride comfort, how it interacts with tire volume and pressure, and what our on-road tests revealed about the optimal setup for smooth riding over harsh terrain.

1. What Is Rim Width and Why Does It Matter?

Internal rim width refers to the distance between the inside edges of the bead hooks where the tire seats.

A wider internal rim spreads the tire out more, creating a wider and more stable contact patch

This allows you to run lower tire pressure, which reduces the vibrations and impacts transferred to the rider.

The result? Improved comfort and potentially lower rolling resistance—especially on rough or broken surfaces.

2. Test Setup: Narrow vs Wide Rims on Identical Bikes

To test the real-world difference, we set up two identical endurance road bikes with the same frame, tires (28mm), and tire pressures—but with two different carbon wheelsets:

Wheelset A: 17mm internal width (traditional)

Wheelset B: 25mm internal width (modern wide profile)

Both were paired with 28mm tubeless tires at 70 psi (front) and 75 psi (rear), ridden over a mixed loop with rough tarmac, cracked pavement, and light gravel.

3. Observations on the Road

Here’s what we found during side-by-side comparisons:

Ride Comfort: The wider rims offered significantly more compliance. Small cracks and vibrations were noticeably muted. Over repeated cobble-like segments, the narrower rim felt harsher and transmitted more feedback to hands and saddle.

Tire Shape: On the wide rim, the 28mm tire measured closer to 30mm and had a more rounded profile. This increased comfort and cornering stability without compromising handling.

Control and Grip: The wider rim provided more confidence during fast descents and cornering on uneven roads. The tire held its shape better without squirming.

Rolling Resistance: While hard to measure on the road, power data and perceived effort both suggested smoother and more efficient rolling with the wider rim/tire combo—especially over chipseal.

4. Why Rim Width Affects Comfort

It’s all about air volume and tire shape. A wider internal rim allows your tire to inflate with a larger internal air chamber, which behaves like natural suspension. This means:

Better absorption of road chatter

Less risk of pinch flats (if running tubes)

Lower vibration fatigue on long rides

Additionally, a wider tire profile can flex more easily at lower pressures, absorbing impacts rather than transmitting them.

5. Does It Work With All Tire Sizes?

Yes, but the benefits scale with tire width. While 23–25mm tires may see minimal comfort gains, 28mm and wider tires paired with 21mm+ rims show a clear difference in ride quality.

If you're running 32–40mm tires on a gravel bike, a wide internal rim (25–30mm) becomes even more critical to support the sidewalls and maximize comfort at low pressures.

6. Recommendations for Rough Roads

If comfort is a priority on rough tarmac, light gravel, or endurance rides, here’s what we suggest:

Look for rims with at least 21mm internal width for 28–30mm road tires.

Pair with tubeless tires to lower pressure and eliminate tube friction.

Experiment with tire pressure—wider rims allow you to drop it lower without compromising stability.

Use a digital gauge to fine-tune pressure for your body weight and road surface.

7. Final Thoughts

Our real-world testing confirmed what engineering theory suggests: wider rims significantly improve comfort on rough roads. They allow your tires to work better, ride smoother, and keep you fresher for longer.

Whether you're racing classics-style roads, tackling a gravel fondo, or just tired of feeling every crack in the pavement, upgrading to a wheelset with wider internal rims could be one of the most effective—and surprising—comfort improvements you’ll make.