MTB Tire Test: Vittoria Barzo TNT G+ 2.0 29x2.25

The Vittoria Barzo is a cross-country mountain bike tire with quite an aggressive tread pattern. The Barzo looks to be a good fit as a front tire with a faster tire on the rear wheel. A Barzo on the rear, if you need the grip, should be fine as well.

The Barzo now comes with the G+ 2.0 compound that Vittoria claims significantly improves wet grip over the previous G+ 1.0 version. Vittoria makes no claims of improved rolling resistance which means they might have sacrified the low rolling resistance of the G+ 1.0 compound to improve wet grip.

We tested the Vittoria Mezcal TNT with G+ 1.0 compound (read review) back in 2017 and the Mezcal TNT with G+ 2.0 compound (read review) together with the Barzo G+ 2.0. The tests of the Mezcal G+ 1.0 and 2.0 gives us insight into what has changed between the Vittoria G+ 1.0 and G+ 2.0 compounds.

This is a test of the 29x2.25 TNT version of the Barzo with the 4C G+ 2.0 compound. The TNT version (Tube No Tube) comes with reinforced sidewalls which makes it easier to set these up tubeless. A slightly lighter TLR version with thinner sidewalls is available as well.

The Barzo is also available as a cheap, and heavy, rigid bead 26 TPI version. These are much cheaper but try to avoid those as we don't believe they are made to the same quality standard as the 4C G+ TNT and TLR versions. The 26 TPI version can be recognized by the black sidewalls.

The Barzo TNT G+ 2.0 is available in a LOT of different sizes from 26x2.10 up to 29x2.60. The TNT version can be recognized by the grey sidewalls, the TLR version has para sidewalls which we're not sure everyone will like.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Vittoria
Model	Barzo TNT G+ 2.0
Year	2019
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	High
Buy At
Manufacturer part number	11A.00.016
EAN	8022530017411
TPI	120
Compound	4C G+ 2.0
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	55-622
Size Inch	29"
Width Inch	2.25
Specified Weight	680 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)
Made In	Pro Data
Available Sizes	29x2.10 29x2.25 29x2.35 29x2.60 27.5x2.10 27.5x2.25 27.5x2.35 27.5x2.60 26x2.10 26x2.25

Vittoria Barzo TNT G+ 2.0 Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	680 grams
Measured Weight	717 grams
Measured Width Carcass	54 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	55 mm
Measured Height	54 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center	2.9 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	4.0 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	2.3 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall	Pro Data
All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 35 psi / 2.4 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

Rolling Resistance Test Results

Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube	None (40 ml sealant)
Measured Width	54 mm
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 47-50 = 42 psi/2.9 bar 51-55 = 38 psi/2.6 bar 56-60 = 34 psi/2.3 barHigh Air Pressure (38 psi / 2.6 bar)	Pro Data
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 47-50 = 35 psi/2.4 bar 51-55 = 32 psi/2.2 bar 56-60 = 29 psi/2.0 barMedium Air Pressure (32 psi / 2.2 bar)	Pro Data
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 47-50 = 28 psi/1.9 bar 51-55 = 25 psi/1.7 bar 56-60 = 23 psi/1.6 barLow Air Pressure (25 psi / 1.7 bar)	25.5 Watts CRR: 0.00764
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 47-50 = 21 psi/1.4 bar 51-55 = 19 psi/1.3 bar 56-60 = 17 psi/1.2 barExtra Low Air Pressure (19 psi / 1.3 bar)	Pro Data
Rolling Resistance 55 psi / 3.8 bar	Pro Data
Rolling Resistance 45 psi / 3.1 bar	Pro Data
Rolling Resistance 35 psi / 2.4 bar	Pro Data
Rolling Resistance 25 psi / 1.7 bar	Pro Data
The MTB 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	37 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Pro Data
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	9 Points
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Pro Data
Tread Total Tire Thickness	2.3 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	61 Points
Wet Grip Center	Pro Data
Wet Grip Edge	Pro Data
Measured Knob Height Center	2.9 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	4.0 mm
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 MTB grip test rim width = 30.0 mm
Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info)

Conclusion

We had high hopes the new Vittoria mountain bike tires with G+ 2.0 compound would be improvements over the previous versions with the G+ 1.0 compound. We tested the Mezcal G+ 1.0 (read review) back in 2017 and were impressed by its performance in the rolling resistance tests while still offering good puncture resistance. Our test of the Mezcal G+ 2.0 (read review) shows rolling resistance has increased by 10-15% over the previous generation while puncture resistance is nearly the same.

Still, the Barzo TNT G+ 2.0 looks to be a good choice as rolling resistance is decent and puncture resistance is excellent. If Vittoria's claims of improved wet grip of the G+ 2.0 compound is true, a Barzo on the front with a Mezcal on the rear to save some watts is an excellent combination. Only if you're looking for the absolute fastest mountain bike tires, there will be better options out there.

RATING: 4.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Recommended

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