CX/Gravel Tire Test: Goodyear Vector R XPLR 40

The Goodyear Vector R XPLR is part of the "XPLR Fitment Series for Zipp" and optimized for the 32 mm internal width Zipp 303 XPLR SW and S wheels. The Vector R XPLR is a big slick with a slightly textured tread pattern along the tire's edge, giving it a defining look. If you need more off-road grip, Goodyear/Zipp also offers the XPLR Slick (semi-slick) and the XPLR Inter, which features a full knobby tread pattern.

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At the heart of the Vector XPLR is a tubeless-ready short-ply 120 TPI casing with an R:Shield anti-puncture belt under the tread. The sidewalls come with M:Wall sidewall protection that guards against cuts, pinch flats, and helps keep the air in. The compound is Goodyear's Dynamic UHP, which is the best they have on offer and also used on their fastest Eagle F1 R road bike tires.

Even though the Vector R XPLR is optimized for a 32 mm internal width rim, we've tested it on our standard 18 mm rim for the size measurements and rolling resistance tests, and on a 23 mm rim for the wet grip tests. The XPLR tires measure much smaller on our rims than the advertised 40 mm, and we're sure they will be close to that size on those rims. We recommend reading our The Rim Width Test article to learn how tires perform on wider rims.

We've compared the Goodyear Vector R XPLR to a range of 35-40 mm-sized slick and gravel bike tires from other manufacturers. We've also added the XPLR Inter (read our review) and XPLR Slick (read our review) to give you a good view of how the Vector R compares to those tires.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Goodyear
Model	Vector R XPLR
Year	2026
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	High
Buy At	Ad Amazon.com
Manufacturer part number	00.1918.786.000
EAN	710845924255
TPI	120
Compound	Dynamic:UHP
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	40-622
Specified Weight	440 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	51
Made In	Pro Data
Available Sizes	40-622 (700x40c)

Goodyear Vector R XPLR 40 Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	440 grams
Measured Weight	415 grams
Measured Width Casing	34 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	32 mm
Measured Height	Pro Data
Tire Circumference	Pro Data
Measured Knob Height Center	0.0 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	0.0 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	2.10 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall	Pro Data
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	34 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 (60 psi / 4.1 bar)	Pro Data
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 (50 psi / 3.4 bar)	Pro Data
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 (40 psi / 2.8 bar)	18.2 Watts CRR: 0.00546
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 (30 psi / 2.1 bar)	Pro Data
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	40 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Pro Data
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Pro Data
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Pro Data
Tread Total Tire Thickness	2.10 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Pro Data
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Pro Data
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness	Pro Data

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results

Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average	75 Points
Wet Grip Center	Pro Data
Wet Grip Edge	Pro Data
Measured Knob Height Center	0.0 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	0.0 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 main problem for the Vector R XPLR is that competition in the 35-40 mm (semi-) slick segment has heated up over the past 1-2 years. The Vector R XPLR shows decent performance in our tests, but many other tires perform better. Overall, the Vector R XPLR is a good all-rounder with no real weaknesses.

We only recommend the Vector R XPLR if you have the matching wheels and want to stick with that combination.

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RATING: 4.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Recommended

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