CX/Gravel Tire Test: Tufo Gravel Swampero 40

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

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

If you're looking for a gravel bike tire to get you through more challenging conditions, the Tufo Swampero might be what you're looking for. Tufo currently offers three gravel bike tires, and we've already tested the Gravel Speedero and Gravel Thundero, both made for lighter/dry conditions. The Gravel Swampero comes with bigger and wider spaced knobs for better off-road grip and mud-clearing.


Technically, the threesome of Tufo gravel bike tires are pretty much identical, with all three using the same 210/375 TPI casing and compound. As we found the Gravel Thundero (read our review) and Gravel Speedero (read our review) to perform very strongly in our tests, the more open tread pattern should make this a very versatile gravel bike tire.


Like the Gravel Thundero and Speedero, all sizes of the Swampero are available with either full-black or black-with-beige sidewalls. We've tested the 40-622 version with black sidewalls, which is the exact same size and color as the Thundero and Speedero we tested and will make for an excellent comparison of Tufo's gravel bike tires.


Manufacturer Specifications


Manufacturer Specs
Brand Tufo
Model Gravel Swampero
Year 2022
Supplied By Bought in store
New or Used New
Mileage 0 km
Price Range High
Buy At
Manufacturer part number -
EAN8592723055501
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 Swampero 40 Test Results

Tufo Gravel Swampero 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 433 grams
Measured Width Casing 37 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread 41 mm
Measured Height 36 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center 2.1 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 2.7 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) 1.80 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)
20.1 Watts
CRR: 0.00603
23.9 Watts
CRR: 0.00716
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)
22.4 Watts
CRR: 0.00671
27.4 Watts
CRR: 0.00821
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 Swampero 40  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine
Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread 31 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 1.80 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 Swampero road bike tire on a grip test machine
Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average 64 Points
Wet Grip Center Members Only
Wet Grip Edge Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center 2.1 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 2.7 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 Swampero 40
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)

Pro Members get 11-point radar charts

Like the Gravel Thundero (read our review) and Speedero (read our review), the Gravel Swampero performs very strong in nearly all of our tests. Of course, it's a bit slower rolling as the tread pattern simply isn't made to provide the absolute lowest rolling resistance. The main weakness with the Tufo gravel bike tires seems to be in the puncture resistance of the tread, as you'll have to rely on tubeless sealant to seal small punctures.


We also see the wet grip on a hard surface is much lower than the Speedero and Thundero, which we attribute to the higher and wider spaced knobs, which results in more flexing and reduced contact area that both decrease grip on a hard surface. The grip should be much better on softer surfaces where the knobs can dig into the surface.


All three of Tufo's gravel bike tires are excellent choices, and it will be up to the individual and the expected conditions to decide which will best suit their needs. If you're still undecided on which version of these tires will suit you best, drop over to our comparison section, where you can compare the Gravel Thundero, Gravel Speedero, and Gravel Swampero side by side.


RATING: 5.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended


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