Road Bike Tire Test: Hutchinson Fusion 5 Galactik TLR 11Storm 25
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 12.0 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 43 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 65 Points
- Conclusion: 3.5 / 5 Recommended
- Comments
- Hutchinson Fusion 5 Galactik TLR 11Storm 25
(100% is best)
The Hutchinson Fusion 5 Galactik TLR with 11Storm compound is the lightest and fastest version of Hutchinson's Fusion 5 range of tires. This 11Storm version launched back in 2017 just after we tested the previous version of the Fusion 5 Galactik with the older HDF 5.1 compound. As there are so many tires out there, we just didn't get around to testing the newer 11Storm versions.
Unfortunately, this review comes a bit too late as the Galactik version has already been discontinued by Hutchinson at the beginning of 2021. We're testing this tire now because our members voted for this tire and it got enough votes to get tested. You can still find the Galactik in stock but the stock will probably dry up soon. The exact message we got from Hutchinson was:
"The Fusion 5 Galactik has been discontinued because, whilst it has been highly praised for its performance and light weight, general feedback that we’ve had from the market is that aside from pro's (who do not pay for their products) who look for pure performance, in general most riders want tires which are more robust, so that they can use them for longer and throughout a wider range of conditions. This is why we decided to keep the Fusion 5 Performance and All Season, which incorporate puncture-proof reinforcements and what we consider as being the best ratio between performance / comfort / weight / puncture resistance."
From our test results, we suspect there simply is very little difference between the Galactik and Performance versions as the specified weight is only 5 grams apart between these tires. They also use nearly the same construction and compound so the Performance version probably comes with a slightly higher tread thickness.
The previous versions of the Fusion 5 with the HDF 5.x compounds that we tested back in 2017 had different versions of the compound for the Galactik (HDF 5.1), Performance (HDF 5.2), and All Season (HDF 5.3) versions. Those HDF 5.x versions also were a bit heavier as they were true tubeless tires instead of the 11Storm versions that are tubeless-ready and require sealant to get a reliable seal.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Hutchinson |
| Model | Fusion 5 Galactik TLR 11Storm |
| Year | 2021 |
| Tire Type | Tubeless |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | PV527711-701530 |
| EAN | 3248382073015 |
| TPI | 127 |
| Compound | 11Storm |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 25-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 25 |
| Specified Weight | 240 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 115 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
23-622 (700x23c) 25-622 (700x25c) |
Hutchinson Fusion 5 Galactik TLR 11Storm 25 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 240 grams |
| Measured Weight | 226 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + valve + rim seal) |
246 grams |
| Measured Width | 27 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 23 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 2.4 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| Unmounted Casing Width | 65 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 | 27 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 (120 psi / 8.3 bar) |
12.0 Watts CRR: 0.00360 |
| 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 (100 psi / 6.9 bar) |
13.1 Watts CRR: 0.00393 |
| 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 (80 psi / 5.5 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 (60 psi / 4.1 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 | 43 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 | 2.4 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
NOTE: Grip test data is only available on tires tested after November 2018. You can find more information about our grip test here: Introducing Grip Testing
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | 65 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
- Hutchinson Fusion 5 Galactik TLR 11Storm 25
(100% is best)
Although this isn't a bad tire, we're not impressed by the Fusion 5 Galactik with 11Storm compound. Even though it's a much lighter tire, rolling resistance of the 11Storm version has gone backward when compared to the older Fusion 5 Galactik with the HDF 5.1 compound. The only advantage seems to be a lower weight and sidewalls that have increased in strength.
The Galactik version has now been discontinued by Hutchinson but we suspect the Performance version of the Fusion 5 is nearly the same tire except for a slightly thicker tread. Our estimate would be both rolling resistance and puncture resistance would be +10% to +15% over the Galactik version.
RATING:
3.5
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Recommended