Road Bike Tire Test: Vittoria Rubino Pro Control 25
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 20.6 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 60 Points
- Static Wet Grip: No Data
- Conclusion: 3.0 / 5 Recommended
- Comments
- Vittoria Rubino Pro Control 25
(100% is best)
The Vittoria Rubino Pro Control with the new G+ graphene triple compound is a new addition to the Vittoria Rubino series. The Pro Control is a stronger version of the regular Rubino Pro and is made to handle the worst road conditions. To make this tire stronger, the sidewalls are made stronger with an extra layer of casing material and a thicker layer of rubber to protect the casing against cuts.
Although the Control is a stronger tire, I'm not sure if it also uses a different compound than the plain Rubino Pro G+ (read review). All that can be found about this tire is that it uses the new 3C G+ compound which is the same as used on the Rubino Pro. Vittoria does show an extra logo that suggests this tire can be used in sub-zero degrees weather. Some clearer info about the compounds used on the new Rubino tires would be nice.
Vittoria also released a Rubino Pro Endurance that appears to be even stronger and uses an all-season compound. Unfortunately, the Endurance is a very heavy tire at 480 grams for the 25 mm version. In my opinion, this makes it more of a touring tire than a road bike tire.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Vittoria |
| Model | Rubino Pro Control |
| Year | 2016 |
| Tire Type | Tubetype (clincher) |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | Med |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | 111.3RC.18.25.111BX |
| EAN | 8022530001915 |
| TPI | - |
| Compound | 3C G+ |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 25-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 25 |
| Specified Weight | 320 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 130 |
| Made In | Pro Data |
| Available Sizes |
23-622 (700x23C) 25-622 (700x25C) 28-622 (700x28C) |
Vittoria Rubino Pro Control 25 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 320 grams |
| Measured Weight | 297 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + inner tube (100 gr) |
397 grams |
| Measured Width | 26 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 23 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 3.3 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. | |
Measured weight of my 25-622 Rubino Pro Control is 297 grams, this is quite a bit less than the specified weight of 320 grams. Just like the regular Rubino Pro, the Control measures 26 mm wide and 23 mm high on a 17C rim at an air pressure of 100 psi.
Compared to the regular Rubino Pro, the total thickness of the tire at the center of the tread has gone up slightly from 3.0 mm to 3.3 mm. The thickness of the sidewalls has gone up from 0.55 mm to 1.05 mm. This increased thickness of the sidewalls is the result of an extra casing layer and a bit more rubber.
Rolling Resistance Test Results
| Rolling Resistance Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Inner Tube | Conti Race28 (100gr butyl) |
| 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) |
20.6 Watts CRR: 0.00618 |
| 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. |
|
As expected from a tire that offers better protection, rolling resistance has gone up. Compared to the regular Rubino Pro, rolling resistance is close to 2 - 2.5 watts higher across the air pressure range. Just like the other new Rubino G+ tires, rolling resistance of the Pro Control rises fast when dropping air pressure. When looking at the 60 and 80 psi measurements, relative performance is worse when compared to other tires.
When we look at other tires that offer more protection, the Michelin Pro 4 Endurance (read review) seems to outperform the Pro Control by quite a big margin. The Pro Control does outperform both the Continental GP 4-Season (read review) and Schwalbe Durano (read review) at the higher end of the air pressure range.
Puncture Resistance Test Results
| Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better) | |
|---|---|
| Total Puncture Score Tread | 60 Points |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Pro Data |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | 12 Points |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | No Data |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 3.3 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Pro Data |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | No Data |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Pro Data |
Just like the regular Rubino Pro, the Pro Control scores 12 points in the puncture resistance tread test. This makes sense as there doesn't seem to be a difference in puncture protection of the tread area except the slightly higher thickness of the Pro Control at 3.3 mm Vs 3.0 mm. For a tire that should offer more protection, 12 points isn't that impressive.
In the sidewall puncture test, the Pro Control scores slightly higher with a score of 6 points. This is the result of the extra layer of casing material and a thicker layer of rubber. In real-life, the 1.05 mm thickness of the sidewalls should provide a bigger improvement than the raw the puncture test numbers show.
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 | No Data |
| Wet Grip Center | No Data |
| Wet Grip Edge | No Data |
| Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 Road bike grip test rim width = 19.0 mm |
|
Conclusion
- Vittoria Rubino Pro Control 25
(100% is best)
For a tire that is supposed to give extra protection, the 12 points it scored in the puncture resistance tread test is disappointing. The sidewalls are much stronger especially because of the greatly increased thickness of 1.05 mm -not many road bike tires have sidewalls that thick. The increased strength the Pro Control offers over the plain Rubino Pro G+ (read review) results in a rolling resistance that is 2 - 2.5 watts higher.
If you're looking for a strong tire that still has a low rolling resistance and weight, the Michelin Pro 4 Endurance (read review) seems to be the tire to beat. Still, I can't say the Rubino Pro Control is a bad tire. If stronger sidewalls are what you're looking for in a tire, it should serve you well.
RATING:
3.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Recommended