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SOC 14: Hutchinson Fattens Up with New 25mm Fusion 3 Road Tubeless

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Hutchinson fusion 3 tubeless 25 road (2)

Wider tires and Road Tubeless have both been gaining traction, and the new 25mm width in the Hutchinson Fusion3 brings both to the table.

Hutchinson already has the 28mm Secteur tire, but the popular Fusion3 tread has a bit more widespread appeal. We think that appeal is even wider now and carries a bit more weight. Puns intended. Like its 23mm sibling, the Fusion3 25mm uses a 127 tpi casing combined with dual compound rubber for a supple, grippy tire. While the size is interesting, it’s the rolling resistance that is the real story…

Hutchinson fusion 3 tubeless 25 road (5)

Hutchinson fusion 3 tubeless 25 road (4) Hutchinson fusion 3 tubeless 25 road (3)

In order to test rolling resistance Hutchinson airs up each tire to a fixed psi and attaches it weighted to a rolling drum. After the tire is accelerated to 30 mph, the motor is stopped and the tire is allowed to coast to a stop while a counter measures the distance traveled. In the case of the 25mm Fusion3 versus the 23mm, the 25mm tire rolled an impressive 110 meters further. According to Hutchinson they really weren’t expecting results anywhere near that, but they were happy to have a tire that rolls so well.

Compared to the Fusion3 23mm, the 25mm looks quite a bit larger mounted on the same rim – more than the 2mm would indicate. Weighing in just under 300g, the tires are available now for $105.

hutchinsontires.com

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David R.
David R.
10 years ago

I’ve been rolling Hutchinson Fusion 3, Atom and Intensive tubeless tires for the past ~4 years, they’ve been excellent (except for 1 that bubbled and cracked early in its life). So a better Fusion 3 is most welcome. But how much better is it really? Maybe a bit more description of this test would help…

Eric
Eric
10 years ago

Seems like the test is pretty straightforward…fixed psi, spin them up to the same speed, see which one stops first. One that rolls longer has less resistance slowing it down.

I’m a big fan of 25c tubless, so I’m excited to have another option.

RC
RC
10 years ago

All these rolldown tests are great, but how about a test that applies power to the wheel and see how much is transfered to the ground – ie, like climbing a hill. Testing casing squirm/deformation.

Keir
Keir
10 years ago

How far was the total distance? The percentage further is likely more helpful than the raw distance data

mechanic
mechanic
10 years ago

A measure of input is necessary for those claims to carry any weight. We aren’t in a vacuum, a billiard will roll farther than a ping pong ball.

The Conductor
The Conductor
10 years ago

A larger diameter wheel rolls further than a smaller one…no kidding.
What where they expecting?

Been using Hutchy’s for years (with tubes). I like them.

MarkV
10 years ago

Technology for tubeless has moved on passed Hutchy. They were around early, but have failed to push the tech and benefits in a appealing and beneficia way. Try something from others, like IRC or Schwalbe and you realize that in a big way, it’s like stepping into whole new world. Step up Hutchy, step up….

greg
greg
10 years ago

how heavy was the drum, compared to the tires? a heavier tire has more inertia.
i agree that it should be a fixed power and measure the ground speed, or a fixed speed and measure the power required.

Calvin
Calvin
10 years ago

Also, what about tire pressure during the test? I’ve heard that for the SAME pressure, 25mm tires roll faster than 23mm tires. Most of us want to run bigger tires for LOWER pressure and more comfort.

A.
A.
10 years ago

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/secteur

Time for a Specialized lawsuit over the name…

BBB
BBB
10 years ago

Steel drums are only useful for comparing different tyre models in the same size and at the same pressure. They are pretty much useless for comparing the same tyres in different widths as they don’t take into account the roughness of the surface and its effect on the rider.
The major advantage of wider tyres is ability of running them at lower pressure which on any surface other than very smooth tarmac will results in lower rolling resistance due to reduction of vibrations/vertical movement of the bike/rider.
Harder feels faster, softer is faster.

jonathan
jonathan
10 years ago

my wife and I have fusion tubeless tires on ultra wheel sets. We love them. no flats in two years!

TheKaiser
TheKaiser
10 years ago

I agree with the above statements about a roll down test not being the most accurate reflection of the realities of rolling resistance, but I did at least find out a bit more detail on the magnitude of the claimed improvement. The effect size was pretty substantial:

“Hutchinson did rolling resistance tests on the 23 and 25mm tyres and found the 25mm to go further, said the company’s North American representative Richard Goodwin. “In the roll-down test, the 23mm tyre went 500m, and the 25mm tyre went 660m with all other factors the same,” Goodwin said.”

Gel
Gel
10 years ago

Duh! They should have inflated the tires at the ideal pressures and not at a fixed pressure. Why would put the same pressure in a a 23mm and a 25mm tire? Would you do that in the real world?

Choco
Choco
10 years ago

Is it true 25mm when mounted?
Their Intensives ’25mm’ were actually 23mm when mounted.
Their only true claimed width is the Sector 28mm which actually is 28mm.

Dustin@ SouthernWheelworks

@Gel is the first person to ask the question I thought right off the bat: WHY USE THE SAME PRESSURE! One of the advantages of the bigger tire is the ability to use less air pressure.

Lovin’ my Secteurs, over 1500 miles on them and they’re still holding up great. Highly recommend.

dislivello
dislivello
10 years ago

23 and 25 tire tubekess are available yo work with wide rim c19 or c21? I thonks ybut standard etrto said no….

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