2023 Gran Fondo Gravel Tire Test

10 replies · 966 views

ljsmith
762 posts
#1Dec 31, 2023, 10:36 AM
Gran Fondo just posted their latest gravel tire test. I always look forward to this since they test them in the lab and the real world, so you get a really good idea of how the tires perform.

https://granfondo-cycling.com/best-gravel-tire-review/
2
pushstart
181 posts
#2Jan 2, 2024, 5:49 AM
Do they publish the actual numbers from the various tests? (Maybe I just missed this?)
1
ljsmith
762 posts
#3Jan 2, 2024, 6:15 AM
If they do I can’t find it. To make things worse they only mention the actual rolling resistance for certain tires.
1
teddgram
5 posts
#4Jan 2, 2024, 11:43 AM
FWIW - I use the Bicycle Rolling Resistance website. They publish tire dimensions, tread dimensions, tire weight, rolling resistance, puncture resistance, etc. Their data is lab data, but at least its a good start. I usually pick out what's at the top of their list for rolling resistance and puncture resistance, then go look for reviews based on actual riding.
1
pushstart
181 posts
#5Jan 3, 2024, 6:20 AM
Yeah, I'm a BRR pro member; I love their work. Yes, they don't do outside testing, but you can learn a lot from tires by the controlled tests.

This Gran Fondo review has some useful points to consider -- esp for someone new to the sport -- but is pretty terrible in terms of actually reviewing the tires!
1
stevesbike
1 posts
#6Jan 7, 2024, 9:18 AM
ljsmith wrote:
If they do I can’t find it. To make things worse they only mention the actual rolling resistance for certain tires.
click on each tire on their chart and it takes you to the more complete test including RR data
1
stu
646 posts
#7Jan 7, 2024, 8:58 PM
Individual tire results are available one at a time but not together in a table.

I don't think testing methods are adequately described. The photos offer only hints, like the puncture protection test may have been done with a 4 or 5 mm pin punch. FWIW I've found the GK+, which they rated 8 on a 0 to 10 scale, to be quite susceptible to glass punctures.
1
ljsmith
762 posts
#8Jan 8, 2024, 7:10 AMedited
stu wrote:
Individual tire results are available one at a time but not together in a table.

I don't think testing methods are adequately described. The photos offer only hints, like the puncture protection test may have been done with a 4 or 5 mm pin punch. FWIW I've found the GK+, which they rated 8 on a 0 to 10 scale, to be quite susceptible to glass punctures.
I agree. They need to describe the lab tests, and then have a chart of the data to easily compare tires. The other thing that is confusing is that many of these tires have been tested in their past tests and now they give completely different test results and opinions on the tires. The best example is the Vittoria Terreno Dry, that they raved about in the previous test and named it the best all around tire. Now they say it sucks and that the Continental Terra Trail is their pick. But they tested the Terra Trail last time and were not very impressed. So whats the deal with that? Their last test said that the Pirelli Gravel H was the fastest tire on test and the best for riding fast with decent puncture protection. Now they say it is slow and sucks at everything other than being a good looking tire. In previous tests they said every Schwalbe model was harsh riding and therefore not a good choice. Now they seem to like all the Schwalbe tires. Have companies changed the tires since the last test? Is there an issue with the testing protocol? Are different riders testing the tires and simply have different opinions on the tires?
2
teddgram
5 posts
#9Jan 8, 2024, 7:39 AM
ljsmith wrote:
I agree. They need to describe the lab tests, and then have a chart of the data to easily compare tires. The other thing that is confusing is that many of these tires have been tested in their past tests and now they give completely different test results and opinions on the tires. The best example is the Vittoria Terreno Dry, that they raved about in the previous test and named it the best all around tire. Now they say it sucks and that the Continental Terra Trail is their pick. But they tested the Terra Trail last time and were not very impressed. So whats the deal with that? Their last test said that the Pirelli Gravel H was the fastest tire on test and the best for riding fast with decent puncture protection. Now they say it is slow and sucks at everything other than being a good looking tire. In previous tests they said every Schwalbe model was harsh riding and therefore not a good choice. Now they seem to like all the Schwalbe tires. Have companies changed the tires since the last test? Is there an issue with the testing protocol? Are different riders testing the tires and simply have different opinions on the tires?
Haven't had the Schwalbe tires yet, but that Pirelli Gravel H does roll pretty damn nice and I haven't had a puncture yet. I've ridden through a lot of abandoned areas where debris and glass are prevalent. Not exactly scientific, but if I haven't gotten a puncture yet, I think that's a good thing.

A lot of locals here like those Schwalbe tires though. I'll probably give those a try this summer.
0
stu
646 posts
#10Jan 8, 2024, 1:46 PM
teddgram wrote:
Haven't had the Schwalbe tires yet, but that Pirelli Gravel H does roll pretty damn nice and I haven't had a puncture yet. I've ridden through a lot of abandoned areas where debris and glass are prevalent. Not exactly scientific, but if I haven't gotten a puncture yet, I think that's a good thing.

A lot of locals here like those Schwalbe tires though. I'll probably give those a try this summer.
I have the Gravel H in 45 mm and found them fast and comfortable but they got way more glass punctures than I could tolerate. On dry surfaces with no glass I like them a lot.
0
3TX
55 posts
#11Mar 11, 2024, 8:35 PM
There’s no such thing as a ‘best allrounder’ gravel tyre. It all depends on the terrain.
In summer, I mostly ride gravel slicks, unfashionable I know, but at low pressure, they’re just as good on dry gravel, and much better on road obviously, for the ride too and from the gravel tracks. In the wet anything from gravel race ‘dry’ tyres, to mtb tyres, depending on the terrain.
0

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