CX/Gravel Tire Test: Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M 40

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  • Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M 40
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is best)
Pro Members get 11-point radar charts



Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M 40 road bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

The Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M (Mixed Terrain) is a gravel bike tire with a rough-looking tread pattern. The tread pattern of the Gravel M looks like it should handle almost any condition you might encounter with a gravel bike. Thanks to the near-continuous spacing of the center knobs, it should even be a decent performer on a large range of harder types of terrain.


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The Gravel M is closely related to the Gravel H (Hard Terrain) (read our review) that we tested a while back. Both tires come with the same tubeless-ready 127 TPI casing with an extra layer of bead-to-bead protective fabric and the same single compound Pirelli SpeedGrip compound that, according to Pirelli, is tailored for all weather conditions and wet or dry terrain.


As the construction is nearly the same, and if the compound is the exact same mix, the performance of both tires should be quite close in most of our tests. The most interesting test will be the rolling resistance tests, as we expect the Gravel M to be a harder rolling tire based on its tread design.


Both tires are also available in the exact same sizes: 35-622, 40-622, 45-622, 45-584, 50-584. This is a test of the 40-622 version as that's probably the most widely used size for gravel bikes.


Manufacturer Specifications


Manufacturer Specs
Brand Pirelli
Model Cinturato Gravel M
Year 2022
Supplied By Bought in store
New or Used New
Mileage 0 km
Price Range High
Buy At Ad Amazon.com
Manufacturer part number 3771200
EAN8019227377125
TPI 127
Compound SpeedGRIP
Bead Folding
ETRTO 40-622
Specified Weight 500 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi) 58
Made In Members Only
Available Sizes 35-622 (700x35c)
40-622 (700x40c)
45-622 (700x45c)
50-622 (700x50c)
45-584 (650x45b)
50-584 (650x50b)

Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M 40 Test Results

Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M 40  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements


Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight 500 grams
Measured Weight 529 grams
Measured Width Casing 39 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread 39 mm
Measured Height 38 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center 2.0 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 2.3 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)

(current protocol)
Conti Cross28 (160 gr)

(test protocol)
Measured Width 39 mm 39 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

(50 psi / 3.4 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

(42 psi / 2.9 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

(33 psi / 2.3 bar)
22.7 Watts
CRR: 0.00680
26.5 Watts
CRR: 0.00794
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

(25 psi / 1.7 bar)
26.5 Watts
CRR: 0.00794
31.5 Watts
CRR: 0.00944
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 Gravel M 40  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine
Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread 35 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 72 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 Gravel M 40
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)

Pro Members get 11-point radar charts

The Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M is a decent performer in our tests. Given its rough tread pattern and excellent knob height, it should be a good gravel bike tire for a wide range of conditions. Of course, this isn't the fastest rolling tire out there, but it's definitely still acceptable if you're not looking for an all-out racing tire.


If you're looking for a gravel bike tire that doesn't need changing between the seasons, the Pirelli Gravel M might be one of the best choices out there.


Ad Buy Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M at Amazon.com


RATING: 4.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT:
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