CX/Gravel Tire Test: Tufo Gravel Thundero 48

The Tufo Gravel Thundero is Tufo's all-round gravel bike tire, and we know it is a strong performer in our tests, as we've already tested the 40 (read our review) and 44 mm (read our review) versions. We've seen the average gravel bike tire get bigger over the years, and most are now available in sizes wider than 45 mm. Tufo recently added a 48 mm version of the Gravel Thundero to satisfy those gravel bikers who are always looking for volume.

Besides the different sizes and weights, there are no obvious differences between the 36, 40, 44, and 48 mm versions of the Gravel Thundero. The tread pattern, compound, and casing are all the same, and this will give us another opportunity to compare 3 sizes of a popular gravel bike tire, just like we did with the G-One RS 35, 40, and 45 mm.

As most of you know, we've done more size comparisons with road bike tires, and with those very thin, light, and fast tires, the larger sizes generally roll a bit faster than the smaller sizes. The G-One RS 35, 40, and 45 mm tests showed us we can't simply assume the same thing happens with Gravel bike tires that have more mass and material. With this 48 mm Gravel Thundero test, we're going to see it as an opportunity to get another view of how the different sizes of gravel bike tires behave.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Tufo
Model	Gravel Thundero
Year	2024
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	High
Buy At
Manufacturer part number	137233721015
EAN	8592723057321
TPI	210/375
Compound	-
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	48-622
Specified Weight	470 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	45
Made In	Members Only
Available Sizes	36-622 (700x36c) 40-622 (700x40c) 44-622 (700x44c) 48-622 (700x48c)

Tufo Gravel Thundero 48 Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	470 grams
Measured Weight	525 grams
Measured Width Casing	46 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	47 mm
Measured Height	43 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center	1.4 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	2.4 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)
Measured Width	46 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 barHigh Air Pressure (46 psi / 3.2 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 barMedium Air Pressure (38 psi / 2.6 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 barLow Air Pressure (31 psi / 2.1 bar)	18.5 Watts CRR: 0.00555
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 barExtra Low Air Pressure (23 psi / 1.6 bar)	21.1 Watts CRR: 0.00632
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

Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread	39 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

Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average	76 Points
Wet Grip Center	Members Only
Wet Grip Edge	Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center	1.4 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	2.4 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

Just like the Schwalbe G-One RS in the 35, 40, and 45 mm sizes, we see the largest size of the Gravel Thundero being the slowest rolling one. This confirms that, in contrast to road bike tires, gravel bike tires in larger sizes do not roll faster than smaller ones. We're quite sure this can be applied to most other gravel bike, mountain bike, touring bike and other bicycle tires that contain much more material than light and fast road bike tires.

In addition, we think that only the fastest and lightest road bike tires roll faster in larger sizes. Thicker, more puncture-resistant, or less optimized road bike tires in a larger size probably also roll slower than their smaller counterparts. We expect a tipping point somewhere where the amount of material and properties of that material increase rolling resistance more than the decrease that comes from the higher volume.

Of course, this is all tested on a hard surface, and with off-road tires, things get more complicated as larger tires usually decrease surface rolling resistance due to the larger contact patch. Picking the right tire and size is simply much more complicated with off-road tires, as every situation is different in this discipline

RATING: 5.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Highly Recommended

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