CX/Gravel Tire Test: Pirelli Cinturato Cross M 33

The Pirelli Cinturato Cross Mixed Terrain is the more aggressive version of the Pirelli Cinturato Cross range. As the name implies, the Cross Mixed Terrain is made for a large range of surfaces from hardpack up to the loose stuff, and whether wet or dry.

The Cross Mixed Terrain is very similar to the Cross Hard Terrain (read our review), the only difference seems to be the tread pattern with higher knobs and more room between the knobs to clear mud easier. Both tires are built from the same materials: 127 TPI Tubeless-ready casing with a bead to bead woven fabric reinforcement and the Pirelli SpeedGRIP compound on top.

From the looks of this tire it's probably one of the most aggressive cyclocross tires out there as we haven't seen many with such an open-spaced, and big knobs tread pattern.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Pirelli
Model	Cinturato Cross M
Year	2020
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	High
Buy At
Manufacturer part number	3770600
EAN	8019227377064
TPI	127
Compound	SpeedGRIP
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	33-622
Specified Weight	390 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	72
Made In	Members Only
Available Sizes	33-622 (700x33c)

Pirelli Cinturato Cross M 33 Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	390 grams
Measured Weight	420 grams
Measured Width Casing	31 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	31 mm
Measured Height	31 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center	2.6 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	2.7 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	2.40 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) (current protocol)	Conti Cross28 (160 gr) (test protocol)
Measured Width	31 mm	31 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 (66 psi / 4.6 bar)	Members Only	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 (55 psi / 3.8 bar)	Members Only	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 (44 psi / 3.0 bar)	25.9 Watts CRR: 0.00776	29.7 Watts CRR: 0.00890
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 (33 psi / 2.3 bar)	27.9 Watts CRR: 0.00836	32.9 Watts CRR: 0.00986
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	35 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	8
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Members Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness	2.40 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	65 Points
Wet Grip Center	Members Only
Wet Grip Edge	Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center	2.6 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	2.7 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

Although the Pirelli Cinturato Cross Mixed Terrain is very similar to the Cinturato Cross Hard Terrain, there is a definitive difference in rolling resistance between these tires that gets bigger at higher air pressures. This isn't a tire made for running on asphalt at higher pressures as the tread pattern just doesn't work for that.

If your most important requirement is off-road grip under bad conditions and a tire that can clear mud, the Cross Mixed Terrain will be a good choice. Best of both worlds could be a Mixed Terrain on the front and the Hard Terrain on the rear. Check the CX/Gravel overview page to compare all CX/Gravel tires.

RATING: 3.5 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Recommended

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