CX/Gravel Tire Test: Tufo Gravel Thundero HD 48

Our tests of the Tufo Gravel range (Thundero, Speedero, Swampero) revealed that these tires offer solid performance, making them our top picks for gravel bike tires. Tufo also offers its entire lineup of gravel bike tires with "HD" casings, which provide more protection than standard casings and are the go-to choice when you value protection over performance.

The HD casing has a lower TPI (130/255) than the non-HD casing (210/375). While high TPI casings offer lightness and performance, they usually provide less protection because their wires are thinner than those in lower TPI casings. The HD casing is roughly 30 grams heavier, which is still a relatively low penalty you pay for the better protection.

Except for the casing, the rest of the tire's construction is identical to the non-HD version, and the lower TPI casing isn't a cheaper alternative to the high TPI casing. This is important to know, as with most tires, manufacturers offer lower TPI versions with lower performance than the high TPI versions, due to the use of cheaper compounds and casing fabrics.

The HD version of the Gravel Thundero is (just like the non-HD version) available in 36, 40, 44, and 48 mm sizes, and all versions are available with either black or beige sidewalls. We've already tested the Gravel Thundero HD with black sidewalls in the 40 (read our review) and 44 mm (read our review) sizes, and this time we're going to take a look at the 48 mm version. We will compare it to the non-HD Thundero 48 (read our review), Thundero HD 44, and a large selection of tires from competing manufacturers.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Tufo
Model	Gravel Thundero HD
Year	2026
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	High
Buy At
Manufacturer part number	3132261211030
EAN	8592723057710
TPI	130/255
Compound	Grip Silica Compound
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	48-622
Specified Weight	550 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	45
Made In	Pro Data
Available Sizes	36-622 (700x36c) 40-622 (700x40c) 44-622 (700x44c) 48-622 (700x48c)

Tufo Gravel Thundero HD 48 Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	550 grams
Measured Weight	550 grams
Measured Width Casing	46 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	47 mm
Measured Height	Pro Data
Tire Circumference	Pro Data
Measured Knob Height Center	1.4 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	2.4 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	2.10 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall	Pro Data
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)	Pro Data
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)	Pro Data
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)	19.2 Watts CRR: 0.00576
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)	Pro Data
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	43 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Pro Data
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Pro Data
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Pro Data
Tread Total Tire Thickness	2.10 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Pro Data
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Pro Data
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness	Pro Data

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results

Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average	77 Points
Wet Grip Center	Pro Data
Wet Grip Edge	Pro Data
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

The 48 mm non-HD and HD versions of the Tufo Gravel Thundero follow the same trend we've seen with the 40 and 44 mm versions of this tire. There is only a very small difference between these tires: the non-HD rolls a bit faster, while the HD version offers a bit more puncture resistance.

We must admit that we expected a bigger difference between these tires based on the specifications. One possible explanation is that all our non-HD samples were significantly heavier than the specified weight, whereas the HD versions were very close to it. If you can find non-HD versions that are much lighter, the difference might become more logical.

There might be a greater difference between these tires in real life, and we recommend the non-HD version if you value performance over protection, and the HD version if you value protection and durability.

Compare the Tufo Gravel Thundero 48 and Gravel Thundero HD 48 on our comparison section.

RATING: 5.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Highly Recommended

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