MTB Tire Test: Vittoria Mezcal TNT G+ 2.0
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 23.5 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 39 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 66 Points
- Conclusion: 4.3 / 5 Recommended
- Comments
- Vittoria Mezcal TNT G+ 2.0
NOTE: We added hard surface wet grip test data on 2023-6-9. The rating of the Vittoria Mezcal TNT G+ 2.0 has been upgraded by 0.3 points because of very good results in the hard surface wet grip test.
The Vittoria Mezcal TNT G+ 2.0 is an updated version of the Mezcal TNT G+ 1.0 that we tested back in 2017 (read review). We checked all the specifications of the new G+ 2.0 version of the Mezcal and it looks like the only thing that changed is the compound that received an update.
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Vittoria claims the G+ 2.0 compound used in their MTB tires mainly improves wet grip over the G+ 1.0 version, they do not claim any other improvements. If they sacrificed rolling resistance to improve wet grip, we do not feel this is an upgrade but merely a retuning of the compound.
For this test, we tested the 29x2.25 TNT version of the Mezcal G+ 2.0 as it's the exact replacement of the 29x2.25 Mezcal TNT G+ 1.0 that we tested back in 2017. This allows us to compare Vittoria's G+ 2.0 compound 1 on 1 to the previous version.
The Mezcal G+ 2.0 is now also available as a lighter TLR version that comes with thinner sidewalls and is meant to be used with an inner tube. Be aware the Mezcal is also available as a 26 TPI rigid bead version which is much heavier and we're not sure these are made to the same quality standards as the TNT and TLR versions.
We also tested the Vittoria Barzo TNT G+ 2.0 (read review) which is a good match with the Mezcal as a front/rear set if you need more grip in the front.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specs | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Vittoria |
| Model | Mezcal TNT G+ 2.0 |
| Year | 2019 |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | Ad Amazon.com |
| Manufacturer part number | 11A.00.037 |
| EAN | 8022530017831 |
| TPI | 120 |
| Compound | 4C G+ 2.0 |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 55-622 |
| Size Inch | 29" |
| Width Inch | 2.25 |
| Specified Weight | 725 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
29x2.10 29x2.25 29x2.35 29x2.60 27.5x2.10 27.5x2.25 27.5x2.35 27.5x2.60 26x2.10 |
Vittoria Mezcal TNT G+ 2.0 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 725 grams |
| Measured Weight | 718 grams |
| Measured Width Carcass | 55 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Width Tread | 55 mm |
| Measured Height | 54 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Knob Height Center | 2.5 mm |
| Measured Knob Height Edge | 4.0 mm |
| Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) | 2.1 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. | |
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 |
20.6 Watts CRR: 0.00618 | 24.1 Watts CRR: 0.00722 |
| Rolling Resistance 25 PSI / 1.7 Bar |
23.5 Watts CRR: 0.00704 | 28.0 Watts CRR: 0.00839 |
| 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 | 39 Points |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Members Only |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | 9 Points |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 2.1 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 | 66 Points |
| Wet Grip Center | Members Only |
| Wet Grip Edge | Members Only |
| Measured Knob Height Center | 2.5 mm |
| Measured Knob Height Edge | 4.0 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
- Vittoria Mezcal TNT G+ 2.0
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)
We're a bit disappointed because we hoped the Vittoria G+ 2.0 MTB tires performed even better in our tests than the G+ 1.0 MTB tires. Rolling resistance of the Mezcal TNT with G+ 2.0 compound has gone up by 10-15% when compared to the equivalent Mezcal TNT with G+ 1.0 compound (read review). Puncture resistance is nearly the same for both versions with the G+ 2.0 edging the G+ 1.0 out in the sidewall puncture test.
Vittoria claims to have improved wet grip with the G+ 2.0 compound but they did this at the cost of rolling resistance. When looking at our mountain bike overview, the Mezcal TNT G+ 2.0 ends up somewhere in the middle while the G+ 1.0 version stood out as an interesting tire.
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RATING:
4.3
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Recommended