CX/Gravel Tire Test: WTB Nano TCS Light 40

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



WTB Nano TCS Light 40 road bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

Rolling resistance of the WTB has been recalculated on 2021-03-29 as we added support for 39 to 42 mm wide tires. The Nano has a casing width of 39.7 mm and has been moved from the 36-38 mm category (previously was 36-40 mm) to the 39-42 mm category.


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The WTB Nano is a gravel bike tire with a tread pattern that should be good for a broad range of conditions. When we compare it to the WTB Riddler that we tested a couple of weeks back, the Nano has a much more widely spaced tread pattern with much bigger knobs in the center of the tread.


When looking at the specifications of both the WTB Nano and Riddler (read our review), it's easy to see these are very closely related. The versions of the Nano and Riddler that we've tested (TCS Light) both use a tubeless-ready, single-ply 60 TPI casing, and Dual DNA compound.


We've tested the 40-622 "TCS Light/Fast Rolling" Nano with tan sidewalls. The version with tan sidewalls is a bit lighter which is why we choose it over the version with black sidewalls.


Manufacturer Specifications


Manufacturer Specs
Brand WTB
Model Nano TCS Light
Year 2020
Supplied By Bought in store
New or Used New
Mileage 0 km
Price Range High
Buy At Ad Amazon.com
Manufacturer part number W010-0692
TPI 60
Compound Dual DNA
Bead Folding
ETRTO 40-622
Specified Weight 497 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi) 50
Made In Members Only
Available Sizes 40-622 (700x40c)

WTB Nano TCS Light 40 Test Results

WTB Nano TCS Light 40  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements


Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight 497 grams
Measured Weight 480 grams
Measured Width Casing 40 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread 38 mm
Measured Height 40 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center 2.9 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 2.5 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) 2.10 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 40 mm 40 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

(50 psi / 3.4 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

(42 psi / 2.9 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

(33 psi / 2.3 bar)
25.8 Watts
CRR: 0.00773
29.6 Watts
CRR: 0.00887
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

(25 psi / 1.7 bar)
28.5 Watts
CRR: 0.00854
33.5 Watts
CRR: 0.01004
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

WTB Nano TCS Light 40  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine
Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread 23 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle 6
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle Members Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness 2.10 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 61 Points
Wet Grip Center Members Only
Wet Grip Edge Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center 2.9 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 2.5 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


  • WTB Nano TCS Light 40
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)

Pro Members get 11-point radar charts

The WTB Nano performs reasonably in the rolling resistance tests when we take the tread pattern into consideration. Just like the WTB Riddler, the Nano gets a points reduction because of the sub-par puncture resistance of both the tread and sidewalls. If you do a lot of gravel riding and get cuts regularly, look for something else.


Rated 3 out of 5 as we think this can be a decent tire if you're riding somewhere where punctures and cuts are not that common. Visit our CX/Gravel overview page to compare for yourself and pick the best tire for your conditions.


Ad Buy WTB Nano TCS Light at Amazon.com


RATING: 3.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT:
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