Tires: Tufo Gravel Thundero and Swampero
#1
Habitual User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,625
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2022 Trek Supercaliber, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Liked 8,948 Times
in
4,198 Posts
Tires: Tufo Gravel Thundero and Swampero
I've been very happy with the 40c Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H/M combination I've been running, but I'm always on the lookout for something that might be a little better. Previously, I tried the Challenge Getaway Pros, but despite excellent rolling speed and sublime ride feel, I didn't like the vague handling in loose conditions, and the sidewalls were quite fragile. I returned to the Pirellis. This time, I'm trying the 40c Tufo Gravel Thundero and Swampero. For gravel, and the way I ride, I have become a big believer in mixing tread patterns for more cornering dirt grip on the front, and higher rolling efficiency on the rear. Based on data from BRR, the Tufo Thundero rolls better than the Pirellli H, and is lighter. Similarly, the Tufo Swampero has the same advantages over the Pirelli M. We're not talking about big differences in rolling resistance between them, but the combined weight savings is over 100g.
First Impressions...On pavement, I don't detect a noticeable improvement over the Pirellis (which I was always happy with), but they certainly aren't any slower. The ride quality seems a little better. They're not as supple as the handmade Challenge tires, but smother than the fairly stiff ride of the Pirellis. Due to recent rains, our dirt conditions have been excellent, and not really a challenge for finding grip, so I will reserve my judgement until I get a chance to ride them more. So far, they've been grippy and precise, very much in line with what I was getting from the Pirellis for descending fire roads and twisty singletrack. However, I have noticed a difference in the rear. When scrambling up a rocky steep kicker that I ride frequently, I had to really pay attention to how I was weighting the rear wheel to minimize tire spin with the Pirelli H. The Thundero definitely has a better bite in those conditions.
Overall, I'm impressed and have found zero faults.
More input to follow...
First Impressions...On pavement, I don't detect a noticeable improvement over the Pirellis (which I was always happy with), but they certainly aren't any slower. The ride quality seems a little better. They're not as supple as the handmade Challenge tires, but smother than the fairly stiff ride of the Pirellis. Due to recent rains, our dirt conditions have been excellent, and not really a challenge for finding grip, so I will reserve my judgement until I get a chance to ride them more. So far, they've been grippy and precise, very much in line with what I was getting from the Pirellis for descending fire roads and twisty singletrack. However, I have noticed a difference in the rear. When scrambling up a rocky steep kicker that I ride frequently, I had to really pay attention to how I was weighting the rear wheel to minimize tire spin with the Pirelli H. The Thundero definitely has a better bite in those conditions.
Overall, I'm impressed and have found zero faults.
More input to follow...
__________________
Platypus gravelus.
Platypus gravelus.
#2
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 17,037
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Liked 8,064 Times
in
4,472 Posts
'Swampero'?
Pack it up and go home, the shark has been jumped with that name.
...gonna now Google this tire as it looks interesting.
Pack it up and go home, the shark has been jumped with that name.
...gonna now Google this tire as it looks interesting.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2022
Location: USA - Southwest PA
Posts: 3,895
Bikes: Cannondale - Gary Fisher - Giant - Litespeed - Schwinn Paramount - Schwinn (lugged steel) - Trek OCLV
Liked 2,710 Times
in
1,459 Posts
have the Speedero - but have not tried them yet
Likes For t2p:
#4
Habitual User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,625
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2022 Trek Supercaliber, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Liked 8,948 Times
in
4,198 Posts
I found more review info on the Thundero and Speedero. Between those two, I picked the Thundero for the rear because of the larger side knobs with essentially the same rolling efficiency.
__________________
Platypus gravelus.
Platypus gravelus.
Likes For Eric F:
#5
Full Member
I have the Speedero and like them.
Likes For force10:
Likes For prj71:
#11
Habitual User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,625
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2022 Trek Supercaliber, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Liked 8,948 Times
in
4,198 Posts
I've pushed the Tufos through a wide range of terrain, and conditions, including some pretty demanding chunky singletrack. Everything I said in my initial post has held up. The Tufos have planted themselves firmly at the top of the list for my favorite tire combination...so far.
As of now, I'm setting the Tufos aside to test drive some thicc girls... https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocros...urt-2-1-a.html
As of now, I'm setting the Tufos aside to test drive some thicc girls... https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocros...urt-2-1-a.html
__________________
Platypus gravelus.
Platypus gravelus.
#12
Senior Member
Finally had a break in the weather here and I finally had some free time to try my new Thunderos mounted front and rear. 700 x 45. Ride consisted of chunky gravel, loose gravel (from the grader), easy gravel, gravement and some pavement. Have to say I was impressed. The tire gripped well in all the gravel conditions and on pavement rolls very fast. I might pick up a Swampero to try in the front.
Likes For prj71:
#13
Habitual User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,625
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2022 Trek Supercaliber, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Liked 8,948 Times
in
4,198 Posts
Finally had a break in the weather here and I finally had some free time to try my new Thunderos mounted front and rear. 700 x 45. Ride consisted of chunky gravel, loose gravel (from the grader), easy gravel, gravement and some pavement. Have to say I was impressed. The tire gripped well in all the gravel conditions and on pavement rolls very fast. I might pick up a Swampero to try in the front.
__________________
Platypus gravelus.
Platypus gravelus.
Likes For Eric F:
Likes For prj71:
#15
Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm running 700 x 40 Speederos on a Swiss Cross Disc. Ride mostly on smooth gravel and they do well there. Mounted up easily tubeless on Belgium R Disc rims. Planning to go for a Thundero in front for a more aggressive tread.
#16
Habitual User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,625
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2022 Trek Supercaliber, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Liked 8,948 Times
in
4,198 Posts
The Thundero isn't going to be much difference over the Speedero. I would suggest considering a Swampero on the front if you're looking for more grip.
__________________
Platypus gravelus.
Platypus gravelus.
#17
Senior Member
After the 116 mile gravel race I did this past weekend the Thunderos did everything I could ask for and they did it well. Mud, sand, packed gravel, loose gravel, 2 track fire roads littered with rocks and boulders...They handled it all.
I was considering a Swampero for the front tire, but now not I am not sure I need to. I had a two mile segment of this. Basically mud holes as shown for the majority of the length. I thought for sure that I would get dumped by the mud or have to walk the bike but the Thunderos kept gripping and I kept pedaling.
I was considering a Swampero for the front tire, but now not I am not sure I need to. I had a two mile segment of this. Basically mud holes as shown for the majority of the length. I thought for sure that I would get dumped by the mud or have to walk the bike but the Thunderos kept gripping and I kept pedaling.
Likes For prj71:
#18
Habitual User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,625
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2022 Trek Supercaliber, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Liked 8,948 Times
in
4,198 Posts
After the 116 mile gravel race I did this past weekend the Thunderos did everything I could ask for and they did it well. Mud, sand, packed gravel, loose gravel, 2 track fire roads littered with rocks and boulders...They handled it all.
I was considering a Swampero for the front tire, but now not I am not sure I need to. I had a two mile segment of this. Basically mud holes as shown for the majority of the length. I thought for sure that I would get dumped by the mud or have to walk the bike but the Thunderos kept gripping and I kept pedaling.
I was considering a Swampero for the front tire, but now not I am not sure I need to. I had a two mile segment of this. Basically mud holes as shown for the majority of the length. I thought for sure that I would get dumped by the mud or have to walk the bike but the Thunderos kept gripping and I kept pedaling.
__________________
Platypus gravelus.
Platypus gravelus.
#19
Thundero 40
I installed Thundero 40's on my gravel grinder (front and back) during the off season. So far I have about 175 miles on them and am very pleased. Most of the riding I do is on semi-residential-type dirt roads and I think they are ideal. They also performed well on the occasional "adventure" segments and well enough on the pavement - at least as well as can be expected on 40's with some tread and no more than 38 psi. It did take me a bit to gain confidence with them, given reports of relatively weak flat resistance - but now I'm at the point where I haven't thought about that at all.
Likes For HMJ:
#20
Senior Member
That's a hell of a test. 40s or 44s? A lot of what I encounter in my riding is sand-over-hardpack, and the Swampero handles it really well. That said, I haven't tried a Thundero 40 on the front, yet. I've done one ride with Thundero 48s at both ends, and had no complaints about handing in the dirt. I didn't love them on pavement, however.
For me, 40s are too small for some of the gravel roads I ride for pleasure or in races. Mostly the sections that have sand, or very loose gravel. I prefer 45 or larger. What I loved is that the Tufos rolling resistance is very low. Had a few sections of pavement connectors on the race and it wasn't a big deal to maintain 20-22 mph.