MTB Tire Test: Vittoria Mezcal TNT G+ 2.0

NOTE: We added hard surface wet grip test data on 2023-6-9. The rating of the Vittoria Mezcal TNT G+ 2.0 has been upgraded by 0.3 points because of very good results in the hard surface wet grip test.

The Vittoria Mezcal TNT G+ 2.0 is an updated version of the Mezcal TNT G+ 1.0 that we tested back in 2017 (read review). We checked all the specifications of the new G+ 2.0 version of the Mezcal and it looks like the only thing that changed is the compound that received an update.

Vittoria claims the G+ 2.0 compound used in their MTB tires mainly improves wet grip over the G+ 1.0 version, they do not claim any other improvements. If they sacrificed rolling resistance to improve wet grip, we do not feel this is an upgrade but merely a retuning of the compound.

For this test, we tested the 29x2.25 TNT version of the Mezcal G+ 2.0 as it's the exact replacement of the 29x2.25 Mezcal TNT G+ 1.0 that we tested back in 2017. This allows us to compare Vittoria's G+ 2.0 compound 1 on 1 to the previous version.

The Mezcal G+ 2.0 is now also available as a lighter TLR version that comes with thinner sidewalls and is meant to be used with an inner tube. Be aware the Mezcal is also available as a 26 TPI rigid bead version which is much heavier and we're not sure these are made to the same quality standards as the TNT and TLR versions.

We also tested the Vittoria Barzo TNT G+ 2.0 (read review) which is a good match with the Mezcal as a front/rear set if you need more grip in the front.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Vittoria
Model	Mezcal 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.00.037
EAN	8022530017831
TPI	120
Compound	4C G+ 2.0
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	55-622
Size Inch	29"
Width Inch	2.25
Specified Weight	725 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

Vittoria Mezcal TNT G+ 2.0 Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	725 grams
Measured Weight	718 grams
Measured Width Carcass	55 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	55 mm
Measured Height	54 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center	2.5 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	4.0 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	2.1 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	55 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)	23.5 Watts CRR: 0.00704
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	39 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	2.1 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	66 Points
Wet Grip Center	Pro Data
Wet Grip Edge	Pro Data
Measured Knob Height Center	2.5 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're a bit disappointed because we hoped the Vittoria G+ 2.0 MTB tires performed even better in our tests than the G+ 1.0 MTB tires. Rolling resistance of the Mezcal TNT with G+ 2.0 compound has gone up by 10-15% when compared to the equivalent Mezcal TNT with G+ 1.0 compound (read review). Puncture resistance is nearly the same for both versions with the G+ 2.0 edging the G+ 1.0 out in the sidewall puncture test.

Vittoria claims to have improved wet grip with the G+ 2.0 compound but they did this at the cost of rolling resistance. When looking at our mountain bike overview, the Mezcal TNT G+ 2.0 ends up somewhere in the middle while the G+ 1.0 version stood out as an interesting tire.

RATING: 4.3 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Recommended

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