Road Bike Tire Test: Vittoria Corsa Pro Speed TLR 28
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 5.6 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 25 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 72 Points
- Conclusion: 5.0 / 5 Highly Recommended
- Comments
- Vittoria Corsa Pro Speed TLR 28
(100% is best)
Since 2016, we have been accustomed to the Vittoria Corsa Speed (read our review) as the fastest tire for road bikes, but this ended in early 2023 after Veloflex introduced the Record TLR (read our review). Vittoria is now introducing a brand new Corsa Pro Speed TLR with the same innovations as the Corsa Pro and Corsa Pro Control that Vittoria introduced last year. The Corsa Pro Speed is designed to be even faster than its predecessor, and Vittoria has put everything into the fight to regain that first position.
We consider the Vittoria Corsa Pro (read our review) and Corsa Pro Control (read our review) second-generation cotton tubeless-ready tires with significant improvements to the tire construction. The new Corsa Pro Speed also has this improved construction with better bead sealing and easier inflation, better air tightness, and a vulcanized tread that further reduces rolling resistance. You will immediately notice these significant differences if you compare the old cotton tires to the new ones.
Vittoria also had to make some concessions to make the tire faster, as the tire has become even thinner than the previous Corsa Speed. Vulcanizing the tread also results in a slightly lower puncture resistance because the old method of gluing the tread added a tougher adhesive layer, making the tire a fraction stronger. However, the tread on the Corsa Pro Speed has become a bit wider, which is an improvement and should help with objects that penetrate the tire just next to the tread.
Don't be mistaken; the Corsa Pro Speed is a tire to squeeze the maximum out of a race or time trial, and durability or puncture resistance is of secondary importance. The Corsa Pro Speed will be seen frequently in time trials or even races of the most significant cycling events where first place is everything, and the greater chance of flat tires is taken for granted.
In recent years, new innovations have also been introduced that make flat tires less of a problem, and less time is lost until the wheel or bike can be changed or your chance of getting home with a (partially) flat tire is increased. One of these products is the Vittoria Air-Liner (read our review), which we tested a while back.
We also consider it a major improvement that the Corsa Pro Speed now comes with light-colored sidewalls cotton tires are known for. The Corsa Pro Speed is available in the 24-622, 26-622, and 28-622 sizes. We tested the 28-622, and in this article, we present all the results of our tests.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Vittoria |
| Model | Corsa Pro Speed 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 | 11A00446 |
| EAN | 8022530028851 |
| TPI | 320 |
| Compound | Graphene +Silica |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 28-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 28 |
| Specified Weight | 250 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 95 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
24-622 (700x24c) 26-622 (700x26c) 28-622 (700x28c) |
Vittoria Corsa Pro Speed TLR 28 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 250 grams |
| Measured Weight | 240 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + valve + rim seal) |
260 grams |
| Measured Width | 28 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 24 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 1.3 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| Unmounted Casing Width | 74 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) |
5.6 Watts CRR: 0.00168 |
| 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) |
6.0 Watts CRR: 0.00180 |
| 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 | 25 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 | 1.3 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 | 72 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
- Vittoria Corsa Pro Speed TLR 28
(100% is best)
The Vittoria Corsa Pro Speed takes the title of the fastest road bike tire in the world! The Corsa Pro Speed TLR is 20% faster than the old Corsa Speed (read our review) and 10% faster than the Veloflex Record TLR (read our review). The lower rolling resistance does come at the expense of the thickness of the tread and puncture resistance, which are 25% lower than the old Corsa Speed and now at a comparable level to the Veloflex Record TLR.
Compared to the old Corsa Speed, Vittoria has made the tread a bit wider, which helps better protect the sidewalls against punctures. We have heard from various sources that there were often flat tires due to objects that went through the sidewalls just next to the tread, so this should be an improvement in that regard. The edge grip has also been improved, and the wet grip is now very comparable to the regular Corsa Pro. This grip should be sufficient for most conditions.
If you are looking for the fastest road bike tire to win time trials or races, the Vittoria Corsa Pro Speed is the undisputed first choice. However, remember that this tire has virtually no puncture resistance, and the mileage will certainly not be high. We recommend adding enough tubeless sealant and possibly the Vittoria Air-Liner Road (read our review) or similar products to minimize the consequences of a flat tire.
RATING:
5.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended