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Vittoria claims big performance gains with Graphene 2.0 tires

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Vittoria is a pillar in the tire business, and their recent technologies have come with some bold claims. One such development began several years ago, mixing a special type of graphene into their tires. Doing so promised better durability, grip, rolling resistance, puncture resistance – and overall improvement in seemingly every area of performance. For 2019, they’ve introduced an updated Graphene 2.0 technology, said to offer further benefits.

Vittoria Introduces Graphene 2.0 Tires

Vittoria’s use of graphene for wheels and tires isn’t new, with its first introduction in 2015. We covered the specifics of the first generation tech, called Graphene+. In fact, Vittoria says that they are the #1 user of graphene in the bike industry, using literal tons of it every year.

For 2019, they’re rolling out an updated Graphene 2.0, with more tech and a promise of gains all-around. If you’re a roadie, how does DOUBLE the mileage sound? Or for off-road tires, how about DOUBLE the grip? These are among their claims, along with improvements in rolling resistance, air retention, and cut resistance.

Vittoria-tire-Graphene-2.0-performance-chart-rolling-resistance
Above: Vittoria’s Graphene 2.0 performance claims. Click to enlarge.

While these claims look impressive, it’s our duty to remain skeptical for now. Where are the units of measure in the charts above? What is the protocol for each test? We look forward to seeing detailed test data to help explain and prove what looks to be promising technology.

How exactly does the new Graphene 2.0 work? Here’s the word straight from Vittoria:

“Graphene interacts with rubber by filling the space in between the rubber molecules, which has been verified to increase all positive performance metrics. Unlike the first-generation graphene, the new 2.0 graphene is functionalized to enhance specific tire [performance]. In other words, where the first generation of graphene compounds raised the bar evenly, Graphene 2.0 pin-points each performance metric, and increases it [disproportionately] to the rest. Vittoria is now able to apply Graphene in such a way that it can achieve a performance boost specifically for speed, wet grip, durability and puncture resistance.”

While not used in every Vittoria tire, Graphene 2.0 is already found in current road options such as the Corsa and Corsa Speed.

Vittoria-corsa-road-tires-Graphene-2.0

If off-road is more your thing, Graphene 2.0 is already in the latest Barzo, Mezcal, and more.

Vittoria-corsa-MTB-tires-Graphene-2.0

Graphene 2.0 and 4C Compound Technology

Graphene 2.0 has also been integrated into the existing Vittoria 4C technology. Using a unique production process, 4C allows for the use of four different compounds in one tire. By adding Graphene 2.0, Vittoria claims to further hone each compound for better performance in its specific application.

Vittoria-4c-technology-with-Graphene-2.0

We look forward to getting out hands on more test data, and physical samples of tires to review. Tires have come a long way in recent decades, and we have no reason to think that the improvements won’t continue. For more information on Graphene 2.0 and the tire models that use it, check out Vittoria at the link below.

Vittoria.com

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17 Comments
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Velo Kitty
Velo Kitty
5 years ago

bicycle rolling resistance dot com is your friend in evaluating some of the manufacturer’s claims.

Celest Greene
Celest Greene
5 years ago

Vittoria has a killer track record for mountain and gravel tires. Don’t know if it’s the magic dust, but they roll fast, grip well, break free predictably, and last longer than most high end tires I’ve used. I don’t undrunders why I never see them on the trail .

Zach Overholt
Admin
5 years ago
Reply to  Celest Greene

I’ve not had great experiences with them in wet terrain. Hopefully their claims of improved wet grip prove true, because otherwise I agree, they do work pretty well.

Swijland
Swijland
5 years ago
Reply to  Zach Overholt

Same here. Mezcal tires performed great in dry weather and even on the road, but were terrible in the wet and on mud.

Thomas
Thomas
5 years ago
Reply to  Swijland

The Mezcal is a dry weather tyre, try the Peyote for an all-rounder or Barzo for sticky/wet mud, I have been using the new compound for a couple of months now and you’ll need to re calibrate your brain to the level of grip on wet roots!

Marc L
5 years ago
Reply to  Zach Overholt

Interesting Zach. In our neck of the woods (high desert and Mountain West- not a lot of mud) a Barzo/Mezcal is the killer XC combo and the Morsa hard to beat on mid-travel trail bikes. Super-communicative, fast-rolling, and cut/wear resistant.

Dolan Halbrook
Dolan Halbrook
5 years ago
Reply to  Celest Greene

I’ve been quite impressed by the Barzo as an all-rounder for PacNW conditions.

Isaac Neff
5 years ago

I’ve been a big fan of Vittoria tires, both mtb and road. I just wish the new TLR road tire came with a tan sidewall! I know both my customers and I would like that.

Collin S
5 years ago

Technically, cross linked rubber (What tires are) is just one big molecule, thus graphene can’t fill in the voids between molecules. It can fill voids in the matrix but not between molecules unless its hanging out between tires.

James
5 years ago

That first chart is marketing gold. Graphene may give tires grip, but it won’t give you a y-axis. Can a guy get some numbers?

RobertW
RobertW
5 years ago
Reply to  James

Spend millions of dollars on fancy machines and design teams but don’t put actual numbers on the figures you use to get people to actually buy your product. That’s the bicycle industry!

Gary
5 years ago

Just went to the website, and it seems a 30c Corsa (320tpi) is coming. Actually, 5 of them; a TLR, a tubular, and an open clincher, the latter two available in both black- and tan-wall. Call me intrigued! Those ought to be some smooth riding tires.

Patrick Cavender
Patrick Cavender
5 years ago
Reply to  Gary

320tpi = 106 tpi x 3 layers (the ol’ Continental tpi inflation trick), but 106 tpi sound good.

Gary
5 years ago

Patrick, do you have a source for that? I know of Continental’s “3 ply 110 = 330” trick, but ‘ve never seen the Corsa characterized as anything other than a tire with a true 320 tpi, cotton casing, even in independent reviews.

Patrick Cavender
Patrick Cavender
5 years ago
Reply to  Gary

Sorry Gary, what you are looking at is a cotton casing which can go up to 320tpi. Sorry spoke to quickly.

Andy DuHamel Mackinnon
Andy DuHamel Mackinnon
5 years ago

As a business working with Graphene I’m still awaiting an answer from Vittoria in reference to percentage volume and the process to ensure uniformity stop “bulking” which being there are a number of processes it should not be a state secret

Peter
Peter
5 years ago

Where to buy?

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