Vittoria’s Corsa PRO Control in a 34 mm size was enough of a twist to the Cat 1 / Easy Gravel test results that I thought the collective results here deserved a closer look…
I added the Cat 1 Gravel track to my test protocol a few months ago, as the medium rough Cat 2 results opened the door to so many new questions. The Cat 1 area is smooth enough, you could run a 25 or 28 mm road tire with no issues, but good MTB tires also go pretty well out there. As usual, it is pretty well impossible to feel what is fastest, and that is where careful field testing helps out. Chung Method (Virtual Elevation) as usual, is my way.
As you can see, whether at a recreational or professional wattage, a gravel tire isn’t the fastest option… and that included the very fast 40 mm Hutchinson Caracal Race. Sure is close, though!
The secondary twist here is that a tire this small can be tied to modern road race bikes, for a significant bump in speed over the aerodynamic values modeled off a gravel bike here. This also explains why bikes in one day classics are currently the same road bikes ridden the rest on the season.
Of course, some might think looking at a 34 mm Corsa and a 61 mm Peyote tire side by side is apples and oranges, and it is. The fact remains that both get ridden plenty often in easy gravel areas, and I think looking at performance trends with all this is worth much more than only testing one size of tire per surface in the never achieved pursuit of a perfect test. 🙂
by gravykarrasch
6 Comments
Considering how little speed the thunder burt gives away, and on the flip side the compliance and grip it would offer, it’s really hard to recommend anything else on your testing IMHO
“Champagne gravel”? This is only in France.
Interesting. I almost threw away these expensive tires after seeing the results from Bicyclerollingresistance. Glad to see your results!
Is this the Vulcan trail for your segment?
I run Conti Terra Speed 40s at the moment, but don’t love your results on the 45s. My tires are nearing the end of life, and so was probably going to try the G-One RS Pros next in a 45.
My frame has clearance for up to 50s, and I am afraid the Thunder Burts will cut it too close, plus I ride a fair amount of road to get to trails. Typically riding to Red Mountain Park and back from Crestline area. Hopefully you get a chance to test the G-One RS Pros soon.
From reading this I wonder if any of you actually know anything about tires.
Survey says; no
Looking at those numbers, I am really impressed by the thunderburts…. Considering I’m a one bike household I don’t think the TBs make sense for me because I’m more 50:50 rider on tarmac:gravel