CX/Gravel Tire Test: Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S 40

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



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

Pirelli's Cinturato Gravel S is optimized for soft terrain and muddy conditions. Pirelli describes the Gravel S as a versatile tire optimized for safety and control on technical tracks and bad weather conditions. Pure performance wasn't the main requirement when designing this tire, as other tires in Pirelli's Cinturato Gravel range are more appropriate for those conditions.


Ad Buy Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S at Amazon.com


The Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S tread pattern reminds us a lot of those mountain bike tires you would typically use as a front tire on technical XC tracks. We're not sure how common it is to mix tires on gravel bikes, but with the ever-growing selection of gravel bike tires, that might be something to consider to get the best of both worlds.


With this test of the Cinturato Gravel S, we now have tests available of Pirelli's entire Cinturato Gravel range (Gravel H, Gravel M, Gravel RC), which makes it even easier to find the best Pirelli gravel bike tires for your particular needs. We must say that Pirelli has done an excellent job at creating a range of tires that should cover most gravel bikers' needs.


Like the other Pirelli Gravel tires, we've tested the 40-622 version of the Gravel S, making it even easier to compare Pirelli's lineup. Unlike the other Pirelli gravel bike tires that are available in the 35-622 size, the Gravel S is only available in the bigger 40-622, 45-622, and 50-622 sizes, which probably makes sense given this tire is optimized for grip.


Manufacturer Specifications


Manufacturer Specs
Brand Pirelli
Model Cinturato Gravel S
Year 2023
Supplied By Bought in store
New or Used New
Mileage 0 km
Price Range High
Buy At Ad Amazon.com
Manufacturer part number 4161800
EAN8019227416183
TPI 60
Compound SpeedGRIP
Bead Folding
ETRTO 40-622
Specified Weight 540 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi) 58
Made In Members Only
Available Sizes 40-622 (700x40c)
45-622 (700x45c)
50-622 (700x50c)

Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S 40 Test Results

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

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements


Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight 540 grams
Measured Weight 553 grams
Measured Width Casing 39 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread 41 mm
Measured Height 38 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center 2.0 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 3.2 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) 2.60 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 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 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 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)
25.6 Watts
CRR: 0.00767
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)
29.5 Watts
CRR: 0.00884
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 S 40  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 Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle Members Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness 2.60 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

Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S road bike tire on a grip test machine
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 3.2 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


  • Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S 40
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)

Pro Members get 11-point radar charts

As expected, the Gravel S is the slowest rolling tire in Pirelli's Gravel family, but in return, you get a tire that comes with some of the biggest knobs found on a gravel bike tire. Even though big knobs increase off-road grip, hard surface grip often decreases because of the limited contact area and flexing of the knobby tread. The Gravel S still performs strongly in the hard surface wet grip test, which is important as gravel bike tires are often used on mixed road surfaces.


As previously mentioned, Pirelli did a good job with their gravel bike tire lineup, which consists of just 4 tires but covers nearly all gravel bike conditions. If you need the grip, we recommend the Gravel S as a front tire with any of Pirelli's other gravel bike tires on the rear, as that should provide you with the best of both worlds.


Compare the Pirelli Gravel S, Gravel H, Gravel M, and Gravel RC on our filtered overview page.


Ad Buy Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S at Amazon.com


RATING: 4.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT:
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