Tire Test - Vittoria Corsa Speed (tubular)

Test Summary

Conclusion: 5 / 5 Highly Recommended
Weight: 209 grams
Rolling Resistance: 9.1 watts
Puncture Resistance: 8 / 3

The Corsa Speed tubular is Vittoria's fastest tubular road tire. The Corsa Speed is similar to the more all-round Corsa G+ tubular read review that I tested some time ago. The obvious difference (as the name suggests) is the Corsa Speed is completely optimized to provide the lowest possible rolling resistance. The tubeless version of this tire read review is the fastest road bike tire on the planet; I've been looking forward to testing the tubular version to see if it comes close to the tubeless version.

Buy Vittoria Corsa Speed (tubular) at Amazon.com

The main difference between the Corsa Speed and Corsa G+ is the Speed makes use of just a single compound G+ compound which has been optimized to provide a low rolling resistance. The 4C G+ compound found on the Corsa G+ is a compromise between speed, grip, and mileage. To make the Speed even faster, it comes with a much thinner tread and doesn't use a Kevlar reinforced casing which means it will be less puncture resistant. When buying these tires, be aware the Corsa Speed is a no-compromise racing tire.

Manufacturer Specifications
Brand	Vittoria
Model	Corsa Speed (tubular)
Year	2017
Tire Type	Tubular
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	Very High
Price	Amazon.com
Part number	111.1CS.00.23.411BX
TPI	320
Compound	G+
Bead	Tubular
ETRTO	28x23
Size Inch	28"
Width	23
Specified Weight	200 grams
Max Pressure	200
Made In	Thailand
Available Sizes	28x23

Test Results

Size and Weight Measurements

Size and Weight Measurements (Bike Wheel: 21.5 OD, Pressure: 100 psi / 6.9 bar)
Specified Weight	200 grams
Measured Weight	209 grams
Measured Width	23 mm
Measured Height	21 mm
Total Tire Thickness Center	1.5 mm
Total Tire Thickness Sidewall	0.45 mm

Unlike the Corsa G+ tubular which is available in 23, 25, and 28 mm wide versions, the Corsa Speed is only available as a 23 mm wide version. Specified weight of the 23 mm version is 200 grams, my sample carries a bit more weight and comes in at 209 grams. The measured width comes in spot on at 23 mm wide.

As expected, and just like the Corsa G+ tubular, the Corsa Speed makes use of a latex inner tube. The measured total thickness of the tire at the center of the tread comes in at just 1.5 mm which is much thinner than the 2.3 mm of the Corsa G+. The casing is a bit thinner as well at a thickness of 0.45 mm, the casing of the Corsa G+ has a thickness of 0.65 mm which should make it a much stronger tire.

Rolling Resistance Test Results

Rolling Resistance Test Results (Speed: 29 kmh / 18 mph / 8 m/s, Load: 42.5 kg / 417 N)
Inner Tube	Tubular
Rolling Resistance 140 psi / 9.7 Bar	8.8 Watts CRR: 0.00264
Rolling Resistance 120 psi / 8.3 Bar	9.1 Watts CRR: 0.00273
Rolling Resistance 100 PSI / 6.9 Bar	9.9 Watts CRR: 0.00297
Rolling Resistance 80 PSI / 5.5 Bar	11.1 Watts CRR: 0.00333
Rolling Resistance 60 PSI / 4.1 Bar	12.7 Watts CRR: 0.00381
Use the formula: RR (watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load

*Tubular gluing process: Continental rim cement, two layers on rim, two layers on tire -> let dry for 24 hours. Next day: 1 layer on tire, mount tire to rim -> let dry for 72 hours. Test tire after 72 hours.

So how does the tubular version of the Corsa Speed compare to the insanely fast tubeless version? Rolling resistance of the tubular version is a bit higher, but still very low. At an air pressure of 120 psi / 8.3 bars, rolling resistance is 9.1 watts as compared to the 7.7 watts of the tubular version. At lower air pressures, the difference between these two tires stays close to 1.5 watts at a speed of 18 mph / 29 km/h and a load of 42.5 kg.

The tubular version does have the advantage of being rated up to a maximum air pressure of 200 psi / 13.8 bars while the tubeless version maxes out at 130 psi / 9 bars. I've tested the tubular at 140 psi / 9.7 bars which resulted in a rolling resistance of 8.8 watts. When you're in a situation where the use of very high air pressures will make you faster, the tubular Speed at 200 psi might come very close to the tubeless Corsa Speed at 130 psi.

When we compare the Corsa Speed tubular with the more all-round Corsa G+ tubular, the Corsa Speed holds an advantage of close to 3 watts across the air pressure range. Although 3 watts per tire at a speed of 18 mph / 29 km/h doesn't sound like much, be aware that for a pair of tires, at a speed of 28 mph / 45 km/h, this will be close to 10 watts gained or lost depending on tire choice.

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Puncture Resistance Tread	8
Puncture Resistance Sidewall	3

In the puncture resistance tests, the Speed performs poorly which can be expected from this kind of tire. When compared to the all-round Corsa G+ tubular that comes with a thicker tread and a kevlar reinforced casing, the Speed comes in as 37.5% less puncture resistant in the tread test. In the sidewall test, both tires score 3 points.

Conclusion

If you're in the market for some no-compromise tubular tires, the Vittoria Corsa Speed will be an excellent tire as it will be very hard to find a faster tubular tire. Do be aware the Corsa Speed won't last long and wet grip and puncture resistance will be poor. If you're not doing time-trials, definitely go for the regular Corsa G+ tubular read review as it should last much longer and provides more grip.

I've now tested all tubular, tubeless, and clincher Corsa G+ tires. If you're looking to compare these tires side by side, visit the comparison section: Vittoria Corsa G+ (tubular) Vs Vittoria Corsa Speed (open TLR) Vs Vittoria Corsa Speed (tubular)

Buy Vittoria Corsa Speed (tubular) at Amazon.com

RATING: 5 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Highly Recommended

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