MTB Tire Test: Vittoria Barzo TNT G+ 2.0
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 25.5 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 37 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 61 Points
- Conclusion: 4.0 / 5 Recommended
- Comments
- Vittoria Barzo TNT G+ 2.0
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.
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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 | Ad Amazon.com |
| 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 | Members Only |
| 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 | Members Only |
| 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) (current protocol) | Conti MTB 29 (225 gr butyl) (test protocol) |
| Rolling Resistance 55 PSI / 3.8 Bar |
Members Only | Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance 45 PSI / 3.1 Bar |
Members Only | Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance 35 PSI / 2.4 Bar |
23.0 Watts CRR: 0.00689 | 26.5 Watts CRR: 0.00794 |
| Rolling Resistance 25 PSI / 1.7 Bar |
25.5 Watts CRR: 0.00764 | 30.0 Watts CRR: 0.00899 |
| 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 | Members Only |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | 9 Points |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 2.3 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 | 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
- Vittoria Barzo TNT G+ 2.0
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)
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.
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RATING:
4.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Recommended