Road Bike Tire Test: Pirelli Cinturato Velo 28
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 17.5 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 116 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 69 Points
- Conclusion: 4.0 / 5 Recommended
- Comments
- Pirelli Cinturato Velo 28
(100% is best)
The Cinturato Velo is a road bike tire from Pirelli that's been around for quite some time now, and its main strength is puncture resistance and durability. We tested the 26 mm (read our review) and 35 mm (read our review) versions of the Cinturato Velo in 2018 and 2022. Our tests confirmed these to have puncture resistance that outperforms most touring bike tires while offering a solid rolling resistance and wet grip.
We're now going to look at the 28 mm version, and it will provide another interesting data point on the Cinturato Velo. Our test results are pretty interesting as they indicate a change in the design of this tire somewhere between 2018 and 2022. Somewhere in that time frame, Pirelli renamed this tire from "Cinturato Velo TLR" to just "Cinturato Velo," and we can now confirm that it was not simply a new name but some critical things were changed.
Since Pirelli released the Cinturato Velo (TLR) somewhere in 2017, it's been the most puncture-resistant road bike tire, as not a single tire was released that surpasses the score of the Cinturato Velo in our tread puncture resistance test. We know many people run these tires on their road and gravel bikes for this reason.
When we look at the available sizes, we see nothing has changed since 2017, as it's still available in the 26-622, 28-622, 32-622, and 35-622 sizes. We did notice that the 26-622 and 28-622 sizes are now available in full black or a version with classic sidewalls for those looking for a classic look. Let's dive into our test results and see what's changed since our test of the original 26-622 Cinturato Velo TLR back in 2018.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Pirelli |
| Model | Cinturato Velo |
| Year | 2025 |
| Tire Type | Tubeless |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | 3370800 |
| EAN | 8019227337082 |
| TPI | 60 |
| Compound | SmartNet Silica |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 28-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 28 |
| Specified Weight | 340 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 101 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
26-622 (700x26c) 28-622 700x28c) 32-622 (700x32c) 35-622 (700x35c) |
Pirelli Cinturato Velo 28 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 340 grams |
| Measured Weight | 363 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + valve + rim seal) |
383 grams |
| Measured Width | 30 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 28 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 4.3 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| Unmounted Casing Width | 75 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 | 30 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) |
17.5 Watts CRR: 0.00525 |
| 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) |
18.9 Watts CRR: 0.00567 |
| 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 | 116 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 | 4.3 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 | 69 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
- Pirelli Cinturato Velo 28
(100% is best)
Our test of the 28 mm Pirelli Cinturato Velo once again confirms the massive puncture resistance; no tubeless-ready road bike tire comes close. The tread thickness is even thicker than the 26 mm Cinturato Velo TLR (read our review) we tested in 2018. We do are concerned by the massive drop in tread cover of this latest edition of the Cinturato Velo.
This 28 mm version's tread width is smaller than the original 26 mm version we tested in 2018. We already saw a small tread on the 35 mm version we tested in 2022 (read our review), but at that time, we assumed Pirelli just didn't make the tread much wider on the bigger version. This test confirms that renaming this tire from "Cinturato Velo TLR" to just "Cinturato Velo" was a more significant change than just the name.
The smaller tread becomes a bigger problem; the wider the rims you use, the more exposed the sidewalls will be. We still recommend the Pirelli Cinturato simply because of its extreme puncture resistance, which we know will be a welcome thing for some riders, but we're not as excited anymore as we were in 2018.
RATING:
4.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Recommended