CX/Gravel Tire Test: WTB Riddler TCS Light 37

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  • WTB Riddler TCS Light 37
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is best)
Pro Members get 11-point radar charts



WTB Riddler TCS Light 37 road bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

The WTB Riddler is a gravel bike tire with low knobs in the middle and a row of aggressive big knobs on the side. The tread pattern makes this tire ideal for hard surfaces such as asphalt, hardpack, and gravel. The Riddler is available in the 37-622 size as well as the very large 44-622 size for gravel bikes with a lot of clearance.


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The Riddler consists of a single-ply 60 TPI tubeless-ready casing and a "Dual DNA" rubber compound. For this test, we tested the 37-622 version "TCS Light / Fast Rolling" with brown sidewalls. The Riddler is also available with black sidewalls but this should make no difference in performance.


Manufacturer Specifications


Manufacturer Specs
Brand WTB
Model Riddler 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 W010-0694
TPI 60
Compound Dual DNA
Bead Folding
ETRTO 37-622
Specified Weight 465 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi) 55
Made In Members Only
Available Sizes 37-622 (700x37c)
44-622 (700x45c)

WTB Riddler TCS Light 37 Test Results

WTB Riddler TCS Light 37  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements


Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight 465 grams
Measured Weight 446 grams
Measured Width Casing 35 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread 36 mm
Measured Height 33 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center 1.2 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 2.8 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 35 mm 35 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

(60 psi / 4.1 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

(50 psi / 3.4 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

(40 psi / 2.8 bar)
22.8 Watts
CRR: 0.00683
26.6 Watts
CRR: 0.00797
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

(30 psi / 2.1 bar)
26.2 Watts
CRR: 0.00785
31.2 Watts
CRR: 0.00935
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 Riddler TCS Light 37  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine
Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread 24 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 64 Points
Wet Grip Center Members Only
Wet Grip Edge Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center 1.2 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 2.8 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 Riddler TCS Light 37
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)

Pro Members get 11-point radar charts

The biggest advantage of the WTB Riddler is the tread with the large knobs on the side of the tire. The rolling resistance is not particularly low, but also not particularly high. The main problem with the Riddler is the low scores in the puncture resistance tests of both the tread and sidewalls. In both tests, the Riddler puts down the lowest scores of all CX/Gravel bike tires tested so far.


We give the Riddler a rating of 3 out of 5 because the performance is less but the differences are relatively small. The only deal-breaker we see now is the low puncture resistance that can be a problem if you ride a lot on gravel or experience punctures regularly. Better tires are available, please check our CX/Gravel overview page.


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RATING: 3.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT:
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