MTB Tire Test: Vittoria Mezcal TNT G+ 1.0

NOTE: We have a test available of a newer version of this tire: Vittoria Mezcal TNT G+ 2.0 2019

Soon after publishing the review of the new version of the folding Vittoria Mezcal (read review), I received a message from Vittoria telling me the non-TNT (TNT = reinforced sidewalls) version of the new Mezcal does not use the new 4C G+ compound. This means I mistakenly called this new Mezcal the Mezcal G+ and assumed I was testing their new G+ compound. I've made this mistake because the Vittoria website (at this moment) does not explicitly state only the TNT version of the Mezcal uses this new compound and assumed both the non-reinforced and reinforced products were top of the range products.

Here is the exact message I received from Vittoria: Hi guys, #### from the Mktg Dept of Vittoria. I was checking your test about the Mezcal. I would like to highlight that 4C and G+ compound are technologies used only on top of the range products, so for us in Vittoria in the TNT (tube no-tube) options. You tested the foldable version (the lightest version without sidewall protection and no stronger tubeless casing) where G+ and 4C are not featured.

After receiving this message, I immediately ordered the TNT version of the Mezcal. After I received the Mezcal TNT G+, it's obvious that this tire does use the new 4C G+ compound as it's clearly marked on the sidewalls. The tread pattern appears to be exactly the same as the regular folding version. Before you read on, I can tell you the new 4C G+ compound is the real deal! The Mezcal TNT G+ comes very close to the top performing tires. Definitely get the TNT version instead of the regular folding version as they both cost the same.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Vittoria
Model	Mezcal TNT G+ 1.0
Year	2017
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	High
Buy At
Manufacturer part number	111.3M3.32.55.611HD
TPI	120
Compound	4C G+
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	55-622
Size Inch	29"
Width Inch	2.25
Specified Weight	690 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	58
Made In	Members Only
Available Sizes	29x2.35 29x2.25 29x2.10 27.5x2.35 27.5x2.25 27.5x2.10 26x2.10

Vittoria Mezcal TNT G+ 1.0 Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	690 grams
Measured Weight	712 grams
Measured Width Carcass	54 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	55 mm
Measured Height	55 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center	2.6 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	3.8 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	1.9 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall	Members Only
All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 35 psi / 2.4 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

The specified weight of the Mezcal TNT 29x2.25 is 690 grams; my sample is a bit heavier at 712 grams. I've measured the regular folding version at 681 grams; it looks like both tires are quite close in the weight department. The measured width on a 17C rim, at an air pressure of 35 psi / 2.4 bars is 55 mm which is the same as most other 2.20 / 2.25 rated tires.

Surprisingly, while the knob pattern is the same, the TNT version of the new Mezcal has slightly smaller knobs. The center knobs have a height of 2.6 mm while the regular folding version came in at 2.9 mm. The edge knobs have a height of 3.8 mm Vs 4.3 mm for the regular folding version. The Mezcal TNT is a bit thinner at the center of the tread; Total Tire Thickness Tread has gone down to 1.9 mm from 2.4 mm. As expected, the thickness of the sidewalls has gone up a bit as this is a reinforced tire.

Rolling Resistance Test Results

Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube	None (40 ml sealant) (current protocol)	Conti MTB 29 (225 gr butyl) (test protocol)
Rolling Resistance 55 PSI / 3.8 Bar	Members Only	Members Only
Rolling Resistance 45 PSI / 3.1 Bar	Members Only	Members Only
Rolling Resistance 35 PSI / 2.4 Bar	18.1 Watts CRR: 0.00543	21.6 Watts CRR: 0.00647
Rolling Resistance 25 PSI / 1.7 Bar	20.1 Watts CRR: 0.00603	24.6 Watts CRR: 0.00737
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.

In the rolling resistance test, the Mezcal TNT G+ greatly outperforms the lighter regular folding version! At the most important low air pressure of 25 psi / 1.7 bars, rolling resistance comes in at a low 24.6 watts as compared to the 30.9 watts of the lighter regular folding version of the Mezcal (read review). At higher air pressures, rolling resistance is much lower as well. I don't think most people expect the non-reinforced version of a tire to be faster than the reinforced version.

Rolling resistance of the new Mezcal TNT G+ is very low; it's so low that Vittoria is now competing with Schwalbe and Continental in the MTB section. The Mezcal G+ comes very, very close to the Schwalbe Racing Ralph SnakeSkin (read review) that is a top performing tire with reinforced sidewalls and similar knob height. At the low air pressure of 25 psi / 1.7 bars, rolling resistance of the Mezcal comes in at 24.6 watts which is just 0.6 watt more than the Racing Ralph SnakeSkin.

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread	37 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	9 Points
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	No Data
Tread Total Tire Thickness	1.9 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Members Only
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle	No Data
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness	Members Only

Puncture resistance of the tread of the Mezcal TNT G+ is great for a tire this fast. With a score of 9 points, it scores 2 points higher than the Schwalbe Racing Ralph SnakeSkin. The sidewalls are a bit weaker and come in at 5 points Vs the 6 points the Racing Ralph scored.

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results

Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average	No Data
Wet Grip Center	No Data
Wet Grip Edge	No Data
Measured Knob Height Center	2.6 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	3.8 mm
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 MTB grip test rim width = 30.0 mm
Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info)

Conclusion

It's great to see Vittoria finally released some mountain bike tires with their top performing compound. The Mezcal TNT G+ comes within 0.5 watts of the "gold standard" Schwalbe Racing Ralph SnakeSkin (read review) while providing similar puncture resistance. I do find it a very strange choice to only use this new compound on the TNT (reinforced) versions of the new tires and not the lighter folding version as well. In my opinion, the regular folding versions are only mid-range tires while both pretty much cost the same.

The mountain bike section has been dominated by Schwalbe and Continental over the past two years. Vittoria has now closed the gap to the competition thanks to a much more advanced compound. Competition among the tire manufacturers is a good thing, let's hope rolling resistance can come down some more in the next few years.

RATING: 5.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Highly Recommended

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