Road Bike Tire Test: Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite TLR 25
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 16.3 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 55 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 67 Points
- Conclusion: 3.0 / 5 Recommended
- Comments
- Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite TLR 25
(100% is best)
According to Bontrager, the R3 Hard-Case Lite TLR is a tubeless-ready road bike tire designed for speed, traction, and durability for everyday riding. Bontrager's description fits well with other tires that we categorize as all-round road bike tires like the Continental Grand Prix 5000, Schwalbe Pro One, Michelin Road, Vittoria Corsa, etc.
The basis of the R3 Hard-Case Lite TLR is a 170 TPI tubeless-ready casing with an extra layer of puncture protection material under the tread, which is a well-known recipe for an all-round road bike tire. The "TR-Speed" compound is developed by Bontrager itself, has a hardness of 60a, and should roll very quickly according to Bontrager.
The R3 Hard-Case Lite TLR is available in the 25-622, 28-622, and 32-622 sizes. We think this is a good size availability for tubeless road bike tires as some cyclists are really looking for the 32-622 size for more comfort and better sealing capabilities if you do have a puncture.
Bontrager claims the R3 Hard-Case Lite TLR is easy to assemble and inflate because it should work perfectly with its own wheels. Unfortunately, we don't have a Bontrager wheel available to test this. On our standard test wheel, the tire went over the edge easily, but inflation was impossible without a compressor and the valve core removed.
Let's see if the Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite TLR is worth checking out at all if you're not completely tied to Bontrager...
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Bontrager |
| Model | R3 Hard-Case Lite TLR |
| Year | 2021 |
| Tire Type | Tubeless |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | Very High |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | 599499 |
| TPI | 170 |
| Compound | TR-Speed 60a |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 25-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 25 |
| Specified Weight | 285 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 125 |
| Made In | Pro Data |
| Available Sizes |
25-622 (700x25c) 28-622 (700x28c) 32-622 (700x32c) |
Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite TLR 25 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 285 grams |
| Measured Weight | 300 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + valve + rim seal) |
320 grams |
| Measured Width | 26 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 23 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 2.8 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Pro Data |
| Unmounted Casing Width | 65 mm |
| Unmounted Tread Width | Pro Data |
| Tread Cover (Tread / Casing Ratio) | Pro Data |
| All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 100 psi / 6.9 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim. | |
Rolling Resistance Test Results
| Rolling Resistance Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Inner Tube | None (20 ml sealant) |
| Measured Width | 26 mm (un-round) |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 132 psi/9.1 bar 25-27 = 120 psi/8.3 bar 28-29 = 108 psi/7.4 barUltra High Air Pressure (120 psi / 8.3 bar) |
Pro Data |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 110 psi/7.6bar 25-27 = 100 psi/6.9 bar 28-29 = 90 psi/6.2 barExtra High Air Pressure (100 psi / 6.9 bar) |
Pro Data |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 88 psi/6.1 bar 25-27 = 80 psi/5.5 bar 28-29 = 72 psi/5.0 barHigh Air Pressure (80 psi / 5.5 bar) |
16.3 Watts CRR: 0.00489 |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 66 psi/4.6 bar 25-27 = 60 psi/4.1 bar 28-29 = 54 psi/3.7 barMedium Air Pressure (60 psi / 4.1 bar) |
Pro Data |
| The Road Bike 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 | 55 Points |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Pro Data |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Pro Data |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Pro Data |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 2.8 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Pro Data |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Pro Data |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Pro Data |
Static Grip Test Results
NOTE: Grip test data is only available on tires tested after November 2018. You can find more information about our grip test here: Introducing Grip Testing
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | 67 Points |
| Wet Grip Center | Pro Data |
| Wet Grip Edge | Pro Data |
| Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 Road bike grip test rim width = 19.0 mm |
|
Conclusion
- Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite TLR 25
(100% is best)
We're not impressed with the Bontrager Hard-Case Lite TLR. In almost all of our tests, the R3 Hard-Case Lite TLR comes out as an average road bike tire. If we also take the high price Bontrager is asking for this tire into consideration for our final judgment, it is better to pick a tire from another brand. We only recommend this tire if you're tied to Bontrager or have some nice Bontrager wheels and want to stick with Bontrager tires.
Although the R3 Hard-Case Lite isn't a stellar performer in our tests, there is a reason for celebration as it's the 100th road bike tire we've tested since we started this website back in 2014. If you're looking for some road bike tires, we recommend you to visit our road bike overview where you can compare the R3 Hard-Case Lite TLR against 99 other road bike tires.
RATING:
3.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Recommended