CX/Gravel Tire Test: Pirelli Cinturato Gravel RC 40

The Pirelli Cinturato Gravel RC is a new addition to Pirelli's gravel bike tire lineup and, together with the Gravel M (Mixed terrain), slots right in between the Gravel H (Hard terrain) and Gravel S (Soft terrain). The main difference between the Gravel RC and Gravel M, which now cover the same "mixed-terrain" class, seems to be that the Gravel RC suits dry conditions better while the Gravel M is the better choice for wet conditions as its tread pattern is more optimized to clear mud.

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The Cinturato Gravel RC has a tread pattern inspired by Pirelli's Scorpion XC RC mountain bike tire, and we can see it working well on gravel bikes as well. The RC also looks like a great addition to Pirelli's tire range, as there was quite a large gap between the (nearly slick) Gravel H and the Gravel M, which looks a bit rough for a mixed-terrain gravel bike tire.

We've already tested the Gravel H (read our review) and Gravel M (read our review) and found both tires to be strong performers with a relatively low rolling resistance, decent puncture resistance, and a compound that offers lots of wet grip. Technically, all Pirelli's gravel bike tires come with the same compound and construction, so we don't expect any big surprises from our test results.

Just like Pirelli's other gravel bike tires, all sizes of the Gravel RC are available with black or "classic" sidewalls. The available sizes are 35-622, 40-622, and 45-622, which probably covers 90% of the gravel bike tire market. This is a test of the 40-622 version, and we'll compare it to the 40-622 versions of the Gravel H and Gravel M and a range of similar tires from other brands.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Pirelli
Model	Cinturato Gravel RC
Year	2022
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	High
Buy At	Ad Amazon.com
Manufacturer part number	4216200
EAN	8019227421620
TPI	60
Compound	SpeedGRIP
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	40-622
Specified Weight	540 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	65
Made In	Members Only
Available Sizes	35-622 (700x35c) 40-622 (700x40c) 45-622 (700x45c)

Pirelli Cinturato Gravel RC 40 Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	540 grams
Measured Weight	545 grams
Measured Width Casing	39 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	41 mm
Measured Height	36 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center	1.3 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	2.8 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	2.30 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	39 mm	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	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	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)	23.2 Watts CRR: 0.00695	27.0 Watts CRR: 0.00809
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)	27.5 Watts CRR: 0.00824	32.5 Watts CRR: 0.00974
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	34 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	2.30 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	70 Points
Wet Grip Center	Members Only
Wet Grip Edge	Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center	1.3 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	2.8 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're not convinced by the performance of the Pirelli Gravel RC, as it performs nearly identical to the Gravel M (read our review) that comes with an even more versatile tread design. In the rolling resistance tests, the RC is edged out by the Gravel M, which rolls slightly faster at all air pressures. Weight wise, the RC is heavier, with both the specified and measured weight coming in higher. Hard surface wet grip also seems better on the M, as there is much less drop-off when on the edge of the tire.

Even though the Gravel M tread design looks a bit rough for a gravel bike tire, it works well as it was intended to be a true mixed terrain tire. Given its more conventional looking tread pattern that won't clear mud as well, we're still determining where to place the Gravel RC as it seems less versatile than the Gravel M.

We would give the Gravel M a try over the Gravel RC.

Drop over to our comparison section to compare Pirelli's Gravel H, Gravel M, and Gravel RC side by side.

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RATING: 3.8 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Recommended

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