Road Bike Tire Test: Bontrager Aeolus RSL TLR 28
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 9.5 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 51 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 77 Points
- Conclusion: 5.0 / 5 Highly Recommended
- Comments
- Bontrager Aeolus RSL TLR 28
(100% is best)
The Aeolus RSL TLR is Bontrager's high-end race tire for maximum speed and grip under all conditions. The Aeolus features an RSL TLR construction, which means it includes a 320 TPI tubeless-ready cotton casing combined with a puncture-resistant layer under the tread along with a Race Dual compound for optimal performance.
The puncture-resistant layer indicates that the Aeolus is not a pure time-trial tire but leans more towards an all-round option. In this respect, the Aeolus RSL TLR is comparable to Bontrager's R3 Hard-Case Lite (read our review), but as our test results show, the Aeolus is consistently a step ahead of the R3.
When it comes to tubeless-ready tires with a cotton casing, the current selection is quite limited. From this perspective, the Aeolus RSL is an exciting tire as there is still a large group of cyclists who swear by tires with a cotton casing and will be pleased to have an additional option in this segment.
Bontrager makes the Aeolus RSL available in the most popular sizes: 26-622, 28-622, 30-622, and 32-622. We tested the 28-622 version and will move quickly to the test results.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Bontrager |
| Model | Aeolus RSL TLR |
| Year | 2024 |
| Tire Type | Tubeless |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | Very High |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | 5317704 |
| TPI | 320 |
| Compound | Race Dual-Compound |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 28-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 28 |
| Specified Weight | 285 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 95 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
26-622 (700x26c) 28-622 (700x28c) 30-622 (700x30c) 32-622 (700x32c) |
Bontrager Aeolus RSL TLR 28 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 285 grams |
| Measured Weight | 314 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + valve + rim seal) |
334 grams |
| Measured Width | 28 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 24 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 2.5 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| Unmounted Casing Width | 72 mm |
| Unmounted Tread Width | Members Only |
| Tread Cover (Tread / Casing Ratio) | Members Only |
| All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 100 psi / 6.9 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim. | |
Rolling Resistance Test Results
| Rolling Resistance Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Inner Tube | None (20 ml sealant) |
| Measured Width | 28 mm (un-round) |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 132 psi/9.1 bar 25-27 = 120 psi/8.3 bar 28-29 = 108 psi/7.4 barUltra High Air Pressure (108 psi / 7.4 bar) |
9.5 Watts CRR: 0.00285 |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 110 psi/7.6bar 25-27 = 100 psi/6.9 bar 28-29 = 90 psi/6.2 barExtra High Air Pressure (90 psi / 6.2 bar) |
10.1 Watts CRR: 0.00303 |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 88 psi/6.1 bar 25-27 = 80 psi/5.5 bar 28-29 = 72 psi/5.0 barHigh Air Pressure (72 psi /5.0 bar) |
Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 66 psi/4.6 bar 25-27 = 60 psi/4.1 bar 28-29 = 54 psi/3.7 barMedium Air Pressure (54 psi / 3.7 bar) |
Members Only |
| The Road Bike 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 | 51 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 | 2.5 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Members Only |
Static Grip Test Results
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | 77 Points |
| Wet Grip Center | Members Only |
| Wet Grip Edge | Members Only |
| Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 Road bike grip test rim width = 19.0 mm |
|
Conclusion
- Bontrager Aeolus RSL TLR 28
(100% is best)
The Bontrager Aeolus RSL TLR shows exceptional performance in our tests and is currently the top choice when it comes to tubeless-ready tires with a cotton casing. We see very strong all-round performance in both rolling resistance, puncture resistance, and wet grip tests, and we don't find any significant shortcomings besides the somewhat high weight of our sample.
The Aeolus also features an exceptionally wide tread, making this tire particularly suitable for use on very wide rims. The wide tread also provides excellent protection for the sidewalls since the tread of the Aeolus extends all the way to the transition from 1 to 2 layers of the typical cotton casing. We know this is the weak point of other cotton tires that often experience punctures right next to the tread.
The Bontrager Aeolus is a solid choice if you're looking for a tubeless-ready tire with a cotton casing, and at this moment, we recommend it as the first choice in almost all cases.
RATING:
5.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended