CX/Gravel Tire Test: Tufo Gravel Thundero 40

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

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

Tufo is a bicycle tire manufacturer that designs and manufactures its tires in the Czech Republic and is best known for its tubular road bike and cyclocross tires. After testing 230 tires over the past 7 years, the Gravel Thundero is the first tire from Tufo we've tested, and it makes for a great first impression.


While Tufo is known for their tubular tires, it now looks like they've shifted their development efforts more towards tubeless-ready tires. They now offer 3 tubeless-ready tires in the gravel bike category that cover nearly all gravel bike conditions. The Gravel Thundero on test here is the most versatile tire that fits right between the Gravel Speedero (fast, small knobs) and the Gravel Swampero (rougher conditions, bigger knobs).


The Gravel Thundero casing is specified as 210/375 TPI which can be confusing, but just like some other brands, Tufo adds up the thread count of each layer. We can't find much other information about the casing, but Tufo indicates the sidewalls come with an extra "Jubena" layer and an extra layer of "puncture-proof" material under the tread.


We can't tell much more about the Gravel Thundero as Tufo doesn't specify the compound or other parts of the tire. Let's just run it through our tests and see how it stacks up to the competition.


Manufacturer Specifications


Manufacturer Specs
Brand Tufo
Model Gravel Thundero
Year 2022
Supplied By Bought in store
New or Used New
Mileage 0 km
Price Range High
Buy At
Manufacturer part number -
EAN8592723054894
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)
44-622 (700x44c)

Tufo Gravel Thundero 40 Test Results

Tufo Gravel Thundero 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 460 grams
Measured Width Casing 38 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread 40 mm
Measured Height 35 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center 1.5 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 2.1 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 38 mm 38 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)
17.4 Watts
CRR: 0.00522
21.2 Watts
CRR: 0.00635
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 Thundero 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 1.80 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 Thundero road bike tire on a grip test machine
Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average 72 Points
Wet Grip Center Members Only
Wet Grip Edge Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center 1.5 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 2.1 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 Thundero 40
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)

Pro Members get 11-point radar charts

The Gravel Thundero makes for a great first impression of the Tufo brand. We're blown away by the performance of the Gravel Thundero in our tests: it's fast even though it comes with a tread pattern that should be able to handle a huge amount of conditions. This tire performs so strong that it's up there with the Continental Terra Speed TR, known as one of the fastest gravel bike tires out there.


We rate the Gravel Thundero 5 out of 5 as we feel this is one of the best gravel bike tires for mixed conditions. We're also impressed by the looks and quality of this tire; it's obvious the new Tufo tires are made to a very high standard. As of today, Pro Members can access Pro View, where you can find a sneak peek of CX/Gravel grip test data, and the Gravel Thundero looks good there as well.


We can't wait to test the Gravel Speedero and Gravel Swampero.


RATING: 5.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended


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