What size of road bike tire do they use in Tour De France, 700 x 18c, 700 x 20c or 700 x 23c?

Question

What size of road bike tire do they use in Tour De France, 700 x 18c, 700 x 20c or 700 x 23c?

Answer 1

This varies dependent on the stage.

Most riders use tubs, a tyre where the tube is stitched inside the tube. These tyres can be run at higher pressures yet ride smoother on the road. Narrower tyres (tubs) are used for time trials.

wider tyres (tubs) for rougher or wet surfaces.

Punctures are not a problem for the pro riders as they have a spare wheel on the team car.

Tubs are hard to repair and very time consuming for the average bike rider and are therefore only used in serious competition.

Tubs are also used on track bikes.