CX/Gravel Tire Test: WTB Vulpine S TCS Light SG 40
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 30.7 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 56 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 68 Points
- Conclusion: 2.5 / 5 Not Recommended
- Comments
- WTB Vulpine S TCS Light SG 40
(100% is best)
The WTB Vulpine S is a semi-slick gravel bike tire, and they claim it is their fastest gravel tire. The Vulpine S is very similar to the popular Vulpine but features a fully continuous rubber strip in the center of the tire. WTB claims that the slick centerline reduces rolling resistance and wear. We agree about the wear, but from our experience, the tread pattern often has little to do with total rolling resistance.
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It has been a long time since we tested a tire from WTB, so it's always good to take another look at a new tire from a brand. We see WTB as one of the pioneers in gravel bike tires because they were already offering a wide selection before most major brands entered the market. Recently, we have seen big brands introduce one tire after another, making the gravel segment extremely competitive.
The Vulpine S is available in 40-622 and 45-622 versions. Both versions have the characteristic brown sidewalls typical of WTB, or you can choose simple black sidewalls.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specs | |
|---|---|
| Brand | WTB |
| Model | Vulpine S TCS Light SG |
| Year | 2025 |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | Ad Amazon.com |
| Manufacturer part number | W010-1061 |
| TPI | 120 |
| Compound | Dual DNA |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 40-622 |
| Specified Weight | 500 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 50 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
40-622 (700x40c) 45-622 (700x45c) |
WTB Vulpine S TCS Light SG 40 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 500 grams |
| Measured Weight | 497 grams |
| Measured Width Casing | 38 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Width Tread | 39 mm |
| Measured Height | 35 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Knob Height Center | 0.0 mm |
| Measured Knob Height Edge | 1.8 mm |
| Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) | 3.40 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) |
| Measured Width | 38 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 (54 psi / 3.7 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 (45 psi / 3.1 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 (36 psi / 2.6 bar) |
30.7 Watts CRR: 0.00920 |
| 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 (27 psi / 1.9 bar) |
35.9 Watts CRR: 0.01076 |
| 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 | 56 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 | 3.40 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 | 68 Points |
| Wet Grip Center | Members Only |
| Wet Grip Edge | Members Only |
| Measured Knob Height Center | 0.0 mm |
| Measured Knob Height Edge | 1.8 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
- WTB Vulpine S TCS Light SG 40
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)
In our tests, the WTB Vulpine S doesn't perform particularly impressively. Unfortunately, we see a very high rolling resistance, which we consider a significant drawback for a semi-slick tire, as most people choose this type of tire for speed. However, we do see decent performance in the other tests, particularly the puncture resistance of the tread, which stands out as much better than the average gravel bike tire.
As we mentioned, we find the high rolling resistance unsuitable for a semi-slick tire, and we cannot recommend the Vulpine S. There are many tires that simply perform better in all our tests, so we recommend checking out our CX/Gravel Tire Overview where you can compare a wide selection of gravel bike tires.
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RATING:
2.5
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Not Recommended