CX/Gravel Tire Test: Pirelli Cinturato Cross H 33

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  • Pirelli Cinturato Cross H 33
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is best)
Pro Members get 11-point radar charts

Pirelli Cinturato Cross H 33 road bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

The Pirelli Cinturato Cross is a tire designed for cyclocross use and available in both a Hard Terrain and Mixed Terrain (read our review) version. Both the Cinturato Cross Hard Terrain and Cross Mixed Terrain are only available in the cyclocross-specific 33-622 size. Pirelli also has gravel versions available which are very closely related to the Cross versions but seem to have a faster tread pattern with lower knobs and are available in bigger sizes in both the 584 and 622 wheel sizes.


The Cross Hard Terrain comes with a tubeless-ready reinforced 127 TPI casing with an extra layer of woven nylon that runs from bead to bead. The compound is Pirelli's SpeedGRIP compound that is formulated to provide a low rolling resistance, high tear resistance, and high wet grip.


As already mentioned, the Gravel versions of these tires come with a different tread pattern that should theoretically roll faster. We do not expect large differences between the Cross and Gravel versions in our tests as the construction and compound are the same.


Manufacturer Specifications


Manufacturer Specs
Brand Pirelli
Model Cinturato Cross H
Year 2020
Supplied By Bought in store
New or Used New
Mileage 0 km
Price Range High
Buy At
Manufacturer part number 3770500
EAN8019227377057
TPI 127
Compound SpeedGRIP
Bead Folding
ETRTO 33-622
Specified Weight 380 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi) 72
Made In Members Only
Available Sizes 33-622 (700x33c)

Pirelli Cinturato Cross H 33 Test Results

Pirelli Cinturato Cross H 33  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements


Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight 380 grams
Measured Weight 398 grams
Measured Width Casing 31 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread 30 mm
Measured Height 30 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center 2.0 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 2.3 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) 2.00 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)

(current protocol)
Conti Cross28 (160 gr)

(test protocol)
Measured Width 31 mm 31 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 bar
High Air Pressure

(66 psi / 4.6 bar)
Members OnlyMembers 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 bar
Medium Air Pressure

(55 psi / 3.8 bar)
Members OnlyMembers 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 bar
Low Air Pressure

(44 psi / 3.0 bar)
21.4 Watts
CRR: 0.00641
25.2 Watts
CRR: 0.00755
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 bar
Extra Low Air Pressure

(33 psi / 2.3 bar)
24.3 Watts
CRR: 0.00728
29.3 Watts
CRR: 0.00878
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

Pirelli Cinturato Cross H 33  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine
Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread 34 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle 8
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle Members Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness 2.00 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 2.0 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 2.3 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


  • Pirelli Cinturato Cross H 33
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)

Pro Members get 11-point radar charts

The Pirelli Cinturato Cross Hard Terrain is a reasonable fast cyclocross tire. Its main advantage is the greater knob height of both the center and edge knobs when compared to most other CX/Gravel bike tires. We're sure the Gravel version of this tire will be a bit faster (4-6% is our guess) at the expense of knob height.


The sidewalls aren't particularly puncture-resistant although the thickness of the sidewalls is better than most other tires in the same category. If these tires tick all your boxes then we're sure they will suit you well.


RATING: 4.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT:
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