CX/Gravel Tire Test: Bontrager GR1 Team Issue 40

The Bontrager GR1 Team Issue is a gravel bike tire that looks fast from the outside as it consists of many tiny knobs that should make for excellent performance on gravel roads. Not only does its tread pattern look fast, but we were also intrigued by the inclusion of "Team Issue" to the name of this tire as that just sounds fast and sent our expectations sky-high.

A quick scroll over Bontrager's gravel bike tire lineup reveals that the GR1 Team Issue should be their fastest gravel bike tire as it's their most expensive gravel bike tire with the fastest tread pattern. We also find that the GR1 consists of a tubeless-ready 120 TPI "Inner Strength" casing with additional sidewall protection and a 60a/52a dual compound.

Unfortunately, the good looks, cool name, and excellent specifications didn't save this tire from coming in as the slowest rolling gravel bike tire we've tested to date (out of 69 gravel bike tires). We don't have much more to say about this tire as our sky-high expectations and excitement have fallen off a cliff.

If you're considering this tire, quickly jump over to our test results and conclusion, as we feel this tire doesn't live up to "Team Issue" status.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Bontrager
Model	GR1 Team Issue
Year	2023
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	High
Buy At
Manufacturer part number	571129
TPI	120
Compound	60a/52a
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	40-622
Specified Weight	430 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	50
Made In	Members Only
Available Sizes	35-622 (700x35c) 40-622 (700x40c)

Bontrager GR1 Team Issue 40 Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	430 grams
Measured Weight	437 grams
Measured Width Casing	39 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	39 mm
Measured Height	37 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center	1.2 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	1.2 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	1.60 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall	Members Only
All size measurements are taken at low air pressure on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

Rolling Resistance Test Results

Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube	None (30 ml sealant)
Measured Width	39 mm
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 66 psi/4.6 bar 33-35 = 60 psi/4.1 bar 36-38 = 54 psi/3.7 bar 39-42 = 50 psi/3.4 bar 43-46 = 46 psi/3.2 bar 47-50 = 42 psi/2.9 barHigh Air Pressure (50 psi / 3.4 bar)	Members Only
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 55 psi/3.8 bar 33-35 = 50 psi/3.4 bar 36-38 = 45 psi/3.1 bar 39-42 = 42 psi/2.9 bar 43-46 = 38 psi/2.6 bar 47-50 = 35 psi/2.4 barMedium Air Pressure (42 psi / 2.9 bar)	Members Only
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 44 psi/3.0 bar 33-35 = 40 psi/2.8 bar 36-38 = 36 psi/2.6 bar 39-42 = 33 psi/2.3 bar 43-46 = 31 psi/2.1 bar 47-50 = 28 psi/1.9 barLow Air Pressure (33 psi / 2.3 bar)	30.4 Watts CRR: 0.00911
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 33 psi/2.3 bar 33-35 = 30 psi/2.1 bar 36-38 = 27 psi/1.9 bar 39-42 = 25 psi/1.7 bar 43-46 = 23 psi/1.6 bar 47-50 = 21 psi/1.4 barExtra Low Air Pressure (25 psi / 1.7 bar)	36.2 Watts CRR: 0.01085
The CX/Gravel 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	24 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Members Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness	1.60 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	73 Points
Wet Grip Center	Members Only
Wet Grip Edge	Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center	1.2 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	1.2 mm
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 CX/Gravel grip test rim width = 23.0 mm
Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info)

Conclusion

We don't like being harsh about tires as we know very well that a single "best" (gravel bike) tire doesn't exist. Unfortunately, the Bontrager GR1 Team Issue is one of those tires we can't recommend to anyone. The incredibly high rolling resistance is a deal breaker, as this tire looks and feels like it should roll much faster.

Most tires that roll this slow come with huge knobs or a heavily reinforced casing, but that's also not the case with the GR1 Team Issue. The puncture resistance of the tread is also near the bottom of all tires we've tested, and the sidewalls offer just average puncture resistance. The tread pattern and compound provide good grip on our hard surface wet grip test, but given the knob height of just 1.2 mm, we don't expect much grip in wet off-road conditions.

We don't think this tire deserves the Team Issue name.

RATING: 2.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Not Recommended

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