CX/Gravel Tire Test: Ultradynamico Cava Race 33

Ultradynamico is a relatively small tire brand specializing in manufacturing "supple" tires. "Supple" tires have become quite popular among our readers, and they claim to provide a more comfortable ride by conforming better to the road surface. The Cava Race is manufactured by Panaracer in Japan, which is easily identified by the part number that's similar to other tires manufactured by Panaracer.

Although the Cava Race comes with a diamond file tread pattern, we consider it a slick gravel bike tire, and it looks to be Ultradynamico's fastest tire. Some of Ultradynamico's tires come with a colored tread, and the Cava Race is available with a gray or green/black tread. We've tested the version with the gray tread, as that was the only color we could find in stock.

The Cava Race is tubeless-ready but comes with (from Ultradynamico's website) "Zero sidewall protection for premium ride quality- get AAA if you plan on loaded touring with these over sharp, rugged terrain... or bring an extra. If you are an aggressive rider who punctures often, don't buy these". The compound is a "Race compound for superior grip in dry conditions".

This a test of the 700x33c Cava Race with the gray-colored tread. It's also available in the 700x42c, 650x48b, and 27.5x2.2 sizes.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Ultradynamico
Model	Cava Race
Year	2023
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	Very High
Buy At
Manufacturer part number	RF733-AX-UDCV-N
TPI	-
Compound	Race compound
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	33-622
Specified Weight	265 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	60
Made In	Members Only
Available Sizes	33-622 (700x33c) 42-622 (700x42c) 48-584 (650x48b)

Ultradynamico Cava Race 33 Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	265 grams
Measured Weight	267 grams
Measured Width Casing	32 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	31 mm
Measured Height	29 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center	0.2 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	0.2 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	2.40 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall	Members Only
All size measurements are taken at low air pressure on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

Rolling Resistance Test Results

Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube	None (30 ml sealant)
Measured Width	32 mm
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 66 psi/4.6 bar 33-35 = 60 psi/4.1 bar 36-38 = 54 psi/3.7 bar 39-42 = 50 psi/3.4 bar 43-46 = 46 psi/3.2 bar 47-50 = 42 psi/2.9 barHigh Air Pressure (66 psi / 4.6 bar)	Members Only
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 55 psi/3.8 bar 33-35 = 50 psi/3.4 bar 36-38 = 45 psi/3.1 bar 39-42 = 42 psi/2.9 bar 43-46 = 38 psi/2.6 bar 47-50 = 35 psi/2.4 barMedium Air Pressure (55 psi / 3.8 bar)	Members Only
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 44 psi/3.0 bar 33-35 = 40 psi/2.8 bar 36-38 = 36 psi/2.6 bar 39-42 = 33 psi/2.3 bar 43-46 = 31 psi/2.1 bar 47-50 = 28 psi/1.9 barLow Air Pressure (44 psi / 3.0 bar)	14.9 Watts CRR: 0.00447
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 33 psi/2.3 bar 33-35 = 30 psi/2.1 bar 36-38 = 27 psi/1.9 bar 39-42 = 25 psi/1.7 bar 43-46 = 23 psi/1.6 bar 47-50 = 21 psi/1.4 barExtra Low Air Pressure (33 psi / 2.3 bar)	17.7 Watts CRR: 0.00531
The CX/Gravel section is a multi tire size section, air pressures have been adjusted to the measured casing width. All numbers are for a single tire at a speed of 29 km/h / 18 mph and a load of 42.5 kg / 94 lbs. Use the formula: RR (Watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load.

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread	43 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Members Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness	2.40 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Members Only
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Members Only
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness	Members Only

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results

Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average	65 Points
Wet Grip Center	Members Only
Wet Grip Edge	Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center	0.2 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	0.2 mm
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 CX/Gravel grip test rim width = 23.0 mm
Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info)

Conclusion

The Ultradynamico Cava Race is a fast-rolling tire, and it even outperforms well-known road bike tires like the Schwalbe Pro One TLE and Vittoria Corsa N.EXT in our rolling resistance test. Puncture resistance of the tread also comes in reasonably well, but, as Ultradynamico already told us, the sidewalls are incredibly soft, thin, and weak for a tubeless-ready-rated tire.

In our wet grip test of the center of the tire, the Cava Race performs ok, but in the wet grip edge test, it comes in too low for our taste.

We see reasonable performance from the Cava Race, but this tire is not for everyone, given the soft sidewalls and low edge grip. If you're into "supple" tires, these might be worth a try.

RATING: 4.3 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Recommended

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