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Review: Vittoria Terreno Dry cyclocross tires rip through grass, sand and gravel

Vittoria Terreno Dry conditions tubeless clincher cyclocross tire review
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This season, I had the fortunate abundance of three insane cyclocross bikes to test, and when the last of them (a Cannondale SuperX) showed up with the same knobby Schwalbe X-One tires I had reviewed earlier, I decided to use it as the platform for testing the new Vittoria Terreno Dry tires.

Introduced as part of a three tire set last Spring, the Vittoria Terreno cyclocross tire family offers something for dry, intermediate, and wet conditions. We have all three, but the one I’ve spent most time on so far is the Dry. With the Cannondale last in line, the timing worked out perfectly as the last three races of our season were all perfectly arid. The first was the infamous sandy course at Pinehurst, which not only ran through dry creek beds (full of sand), but also service roads (made of sand), and a few loose gravel sections. The only grass was the sports field we finished in, leaving the other 90% of the race to that mix of hardpack clay, gravel, and lots and lots of sand.

DETAILS & ACTUAL WEIGHTS

Vittoria Terreno Dry cyclocross tires actual weights

I set up the Vittoria Terrene Dry CX tires tubeless on the stock Cannondale carbon rims. Set up was easy here and with the intermediate set on a pair of Zipp 303 tubeless-ready wheels (that review coming later). The tires are labeled 700×33 but measured 35.2mm wide (~30psi on Cannondale HollowGram carbon clinchers w/ 19mm internal rim width). Tire weights on our scale were 405g and 415g, claimed weight is 410g.

prototype vittoria cyclocross tires for 2017
Prototype tubulars on Robert Marion’s bike at CX Nats 2017.

Vittoria made a big deal about these new tires, teasing them (or, at least, letting them be seen) on pro bikes and at events prior to their launch. The test pillows we spoke with were all very happy with them, so I was excited to try them. All three have their unique features, but the Dry has the most interesting of them in that it eschews the typical file tread design for a series of ramped hexagons.

Vittoria Terreno Dry conditions tubeless clincher cyclocross tire review Vittoria Terreno Dry conditions tubeless clincher cyclocross tire review

Dubbed “scales”, the angular dots are ramped ever so slightly, giving them the double benefit of fast rolling and better braking. There are also repeating gaps intentionally placed to provide room to grab the ground without resorting to bigger knobs that would slow things down.

The casing is their 120tpi TNT (Tube/No Tube) tubeless-ready design, enhanced with the G+ Isotech graphene rubber. Vittoria has introduced graphene to a wide range of tires, using it to increase durability/longevity and grip, qualities that are usually incorporated at the expense of another. Admittedly, 1/3 of a ‘cross race season and a handful of training/fun/gravel rides aren’t enough to test a tire’s long term durability, but the tread patch is showing no noticeable wear yet.

Vittoria Terreno Dry might be the best dry conditions cyclocross tire

Straight line speed means nothing if they can’t corner well, too, and the Terreno Dry tires use a graduated height side knob pattern to transition into the turns. They start with really small nubs and go all the way to proper knobs on the edges that get siping and supportive ridges. Compared to file tread designs of yore, it’s all very advanced looking. Here’s how they performed…

VITTORIA TERRENO DRY RIDE REVIEW

Vittoria Terreno Dry conditions tubeless clincher cyclocross tire doubles as a gravel road bike tire

At the aforementioned Pinehurst race, there were a LOT of mixed surface transitions. From sand to dirt to hardpack to gravel to pine-needle carpets. And a little grass. We crisscrossed creek beds, climbing steep inclines up one side, then right back down them and into a turn. It was just one of three races I did on these tires, but represented the best test course I could imagine. Plenty of traction all of the surfaces, as well as rolling from one to the other. Even (perhaps surprisingly) during out of the saddle climbing up those steep inclines.

On the training ride where these static photos were taken, leaves covered the ground, which was a mix of hardpack, rocks and roots. Even here, the Terreno Dry tires hooked up amazingly well, grabbing the ground quickly and controllably after the inevitable slips on layers of leaves.

Vittoria Terreno Dry conditions tubeless clincher cyclocross tire review

Their profile is nicely rounded, all the way off the sides. I like this type of smooth transition as it creates predictable, well mannered cornering and solid traction on off-camber sections.

Vittoria Terreno Dry conditions tubeless clincher cyclocross tire review

I’d be hard pressed to make up any negatives about these tires. For the suggested uses, of which I did my best to cover the bases except for ice, they performed flawlessly. Tubeless set up was easy, and they hold air well over time. If you’re looking for a dry conditions tire that’s fast, grips well at all angles, and should last a long time, do give the Vittoria Terreno Dry cyclocross tires a look.

The TNT clinchers retail for up to $69.99 each (with a street price under $50) and come in 31, 33 and 40mm widths, the latter making a great choice for gravel bikes.

Vittoria.com

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David
David
6 years ago

What was the inside rim width and measured width of the tire? Thanks

David
David
6 years ago
Reply to  Tyler Benedict

, my apologies. Apparently, the coffee wasn’t working properly. Thanks

TomM
TomM
6 years ago

Tyler, what about straight-line braking? Do those little hexagons grab enough on different surfaces (maybe especially grass) to allow for aggressive but controlled slowing before a corner?

TomM
TomM
6 years ago

Tyler, what about braking? Do the little hexagons grab enough when you brake hard before a corner, especially on grass? Thanks for the review!

Tom
Tom
6 years ago

definitely keen to try these, an interesting design concept for sure.

Andrew
Andrew
6 years ago

I picked up a set of these this summer to run on my CX bike. At first glance, and not having much experience with lower-profile CX treads I was a bit weary to mount them, but about mid-way through the season I decided to take a risk and mount them up. My only regret was not trying them sooner!

The first race I tried them in had a lot of dry grass, but also some slick mud and a beach section. My competitors thought I was nuts for running these tires as some of them were running full mud treads. Despite their concerns, the tires were excellent. Great grip all around, super fast on grass, and even surprisingly good grip when cornering and while riding slick/damp off-camber sections! Braking is also surprisingly good. I was concerned that the rear wheel would slide when braking, but the fish-scale like pattern is surprisingly grippy when needed.

Love them and will probably be riding them more regularly next season!

David Simons
6 years ago

I’ve used these tires and they are great – grip, speed, puncture resistance, durability, even the price is good. Also use Vittoria on my XC bike and my road bike (Mezcal and Corsa) and similar experiences, everything is good about them.

Luis
Luis
6 years ago

I use these on my cross bike in 40mm for levee/mixed road and occasionally throw a hot lap in at our local mtb Park. Even have used them in road group rides. They are amazing. Super fast, tons of grip even in a mtb scenario and they seem to be wearing very slowly. Very happy with them

Andrew
Andrew
5 years ago

These are great tyres. I’ve used them on a couple of multi-day trips and they have stood up really well. I am starting to see some wear and scrapes on the sidewalls (from slipping between sharp rocks) but I think they have many many miles to go.

smoothmoose
smoothmoose
5 years ago

Anybody can comment on 40mm version? Interesting enough the Vittoria website lists them as 38c, while having and ETRTO of 40-622.

steveb77
5 years ago

I’ve got the Wet version in 40c and the carcass shows 38-622 so i’d imagine the same applies to the mix & the dry

oleschroder
oleschroder
4 years ago
Reply to  steveb77

Hey Steveb77. I live in denmark where winter is often wet and muddy. I am considering Terreno Wet 40c as a winter gravel/mud tyre. Can you give a little info on how they perform?
Cheers

David
David
4 years ago
Reply to  oleschroder

As a gravel mud tyre they’re great. Sometimes I skip a bit but only slightly and not enough to make me think about changing them. As a cx race mud tyre… not so good.

Jacques
Jacques
4 years ago

I have used the 700x31c in spain for a mix of tarmac and dry gravel and in less than 500km the rear tyre has lost almost the hexagons profile.

I can see the flag
4 years ago

I’ve just clocked 1000 miles on a set of these and the rear has had it. The tread from the centre is worn slick and I’m averaging around 4 punctures per ride, which fortunately Stans has covered, not good. The front is still ok however. They are a lovely tyre to ride, fast on the road – planted and secure, and not too exciting in the dirt – but I’d expect more than 1000 miles from a tyre in this price bracket

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