CX/Gravel Tire Test: Tufo Gravel Speedero 40

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

Tufo Gravel Speedero 40 road bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

After our test of the Tufo Gravel Thundero back in April, our Pro Members quickly started voting for the Tufo Gravel Speedero. The reason for the popularity is the impressive performance of the Gravel Thundero in our tests. As the Speedero is made more for speed, the expectation probably is that this should be one of the fastest gravel bike tires out there.


When comparing both the Gravel Speedero and Gravel Thundero (read our review) side by side, it's hard to find significant differences between these tires. The tread patterns are more similar than expected, although the Speedero comes with smaller and more closely spaced knobs that should be better on hard surfaces. The edge knobs are much smaller and lower than the edge knobs on the Thundero. The Thundero looks like the more versatile tire, as it looks like it'll be good almost everywhere.


We're also quite sure both tires use the exact same casings as both are specified at 210/375 TPI, and both tires also have the exact same specified weight (430 grams for the 40-622 versions). As the tread pattern is so similar on these tires, and Tufo doesn't specify the compounds, the only way to make the Speedero much faster would be a different compound, and our tests are going to show if that's the case.


From an available sizes perspective, the Gravel Speedero also is a bit less versatile as it's only available in the 36-622 and 40-622 sizes and not in the 44-622 size. This is a test of the 40-622 version, which is the same as the Gravel Thundero that we tested back in April, and it should make for a great comparison.


Manufacturer Specifications


Manufacturer Specs
Brand Tufo
Model Gravel Speedero
Year 2022
Supplied By Bought in store
New or Used New
Mileage 0 km
Price Range High
Buy At
Manufacturer part number -
EAN8592723054948
TPI 210/375
Compound -
Bead Folding
ETRTO 40-622
Specified Weight 430 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi) 70
Made In Members Only
Available Sizes 36-622 (700x36c)
40-622 (700x40c)

Tufo Gravel Speedero 40 Test Results

Tufo Gravel Speedero 40  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements


Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight 430 grams
Measured Weight 445 grams
Measured Width Casing 37 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread 40 mm
Measured Height 35 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center 1.3 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 1.3 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) 1.70 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 37 mm 37 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

(54 psi / 3.7 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

(45 psi / 3.1 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

(36 psi / 2.6 bar)
17.5 Watts
CRR: 0.00525
21.3 Watts
CRR: 0.00638
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

(27 psi / 1.9 bar)
20.0 Watts
CRR: 0.00600
25.0 Watts
CRR: 0.00749
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

Tufo Gravel Speedero 40  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine
Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread 33 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 1.70 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

Tufo Gravel Speedero road bike tire on a grip test machine
Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average 78 Points
Wet Grip Center Members Only
Wet Grip Edge Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center 1.3 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 1.3 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


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

Pro Members get 11-point radar charts

Our tests show that the Tufo Gravel Speedero uses the exact same compound and casing as the Gravel Thundero (read our review). Both tires perform very strongly in our tests, but we find it a bit strange the Gravel Speedero has the same exact rolling resistance as the Gravel Thundero. The result is that we can't find a reason to pick the Speedero over the Thundero, as the Thundero tread pattern simply looks like it'll be better nearly everywhere.


The Gravel Speedero does perform even better in our wet grip test on a hard surface (grip test data available through Pro View for now), which we attribute to the tread pattern that's more suitable for on-road conditions. The Thundero already performed very strongly here, so we don't see this as a reason to choose the Speedero over the Thundero.


Compared to tires from other brands, the Gravel Speedero still shows an impressive performance in our tests. When compared to the Gravel Thundero, our recommendation is quite simple. If your riding involves even the slightest bit of off-road conditions, simply pick the Thundero for its versatility. If you never go off-road, the Speedero will perform slightly better under those conditions.


Jump over to the comparison section to compare the Gravel Speedero and Gravel Thundero side by side.


RATING: 5.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended


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