00:00There are multiple ways to inflate your road bike tyres.
00:03Some of the most popular ways include the standard trusty butyl inner tube,
00:07TPU smart tubes, and of course, tubeless.
00:11But out of these three different ways, what actually is the fastest setup?
00:16Well, to find out, we've come here to the Silverstone Sports Engineering Testing Facility,
00:21where we're going to be using its rolling resistance rig.
00:24Then we can find out out of the three, which really is the fastest out on the road.
00:30Now, before we start any testing, we have to set some baseline parameters
00:39to ensure that all of the testing is fair.
00:43We'll be using the Pirelli P0 Race TLR tyres with the new updated Speedcore casing for the tubeless test
00:50and the Pirelli P0 Race tyres for both of the clincher setups,
00:54all of which will be in a 28c tyre size.
00:58These tyres sit at the top of Pirelli's road race offering and work as the perfect testbed for today.
01:05The tyres are made in the brand's Italian factory over in Milan and make use of the most up-to-date technologies,
01:12meaning they're perfect for anyone who wants to go fast without compromise.
01:17In fact, the latest TLR version features Pirelli's new Speedcore casing and it's claimed that this new technology has resulted in a 24% reduction in rolling resistance.
01:28So, we should be in for some fascinating results.
01:32And to keep everything as fair as possible, I'll also be using Pirelli's own inner tubes, smart tubes and sealant.
01:39The tyres have been mounted to the same fast-forward front wheels, all of which have been pre-set up and have had over 48 hours sat in the testing facility
01:49to ensure that they are fully acclimatised to that environment.
01:53I'll be using this digital Topeak pressure gauge and Joe Blow floor pump to ensure that the pressures are all exactly the same, which for this test will be 6 bar.
02:05Then, when the tyres are on the rig, each tyre will be run on a 10-minute warm-up cycle.
02:11Then, we'll run them at 2 speeds, 25kmph and 40kmph, each 3 times, which will give us some very accurate numbers to work off.
02:22We'll be monitoring the sidewall temperature, the environment temperature and, of course, those all-important wattage numbers.
02:29So, without further ado, let's get going.
02:35So, with the testing concluded, we now have some pretty interesting numbers to have a look at.
02:57We'll first start with the standard Butyl inner tube.
03:00Of course, it still very much has its place in the market and poses a convenient and cost-effective way of setting up your road wheels.
03:08The scores on the doors are as follows.
03:11At 24kmph, it created 12.8 watts of rolling resistance.
03:17However, at 40kmph, it created 24 watts of resistance.
03:23So, now that we have the first set of numbers, let's move on to those Pirelli smart tubes.
03:30It created 11.38 watts of resistance at 24kmph and 21.2 watts at 40kmph.
03:40So, we have already seen a drop in resistance to the tune of nearly 3 watts.
03:46And that's just on one wheel.
03:48On to the tubeless setup, which makes use of those P0 Race TLR tyres.
03:53And at 24kmph, it created 11.2 watts of resistance.
03:59And at 40kmph, it created 20.88 watts.
04:05So, compared to the standard inner tubes, the tubeless tyres have saved well over 3 watts per wheel.
04:12And compared to the Pirelli smart tubes, it has saved a third of a watt at 40kmph.
04:18I think these numbers paint quite an interesting picture.
04:21It shows that the standard inner tubes, although slower, still have a place in the market.
04:27But, if you really do want to go fast, the P0 Race TLR tyres are the way to go.
04:33However, if you want to enjoy a clincher setup, then, by using the Pirelli smart tubes,
04:38you can increase the performance of the Pirelli P0 Race tyre to almost match that of the tubeless version.
04:45It's not just rolling resistance that makes you fast, but instead, what the tyres feel like when you're out on the tarmac.
04:53Reducing feedback through the bike means that, as a rider, you'll be less fatigued and be able to put out more power for longer.
05:01And, in my experience, this is where tubeless makes a dramatic difference.
05:07The ability to run a lower pressure means you can achieve just that.
05:12Also, the measured widths of the tyres actually varied quite a lot.
05:17Despite all the tyres being 28C in size, the setups with the inner tubes and smart tubes measured at 27.7mm across the wheel,
05:25while the tubeless setup came in at 28.4mm.
05:29So, for the least amount of rolling resistance, we were able to enjoy the largest contact patch with the road.
05:36A bigger contact patch results in more grip and comfort, and that is especially important when you want to increase your speed in the corners or just over some rough terrain.
05:48Another factor to consider is the weight.
05:51A standard butyl inner tube generally comes in at around 100 grams.
05:56However, the Pirelli smart tubes, they come in at about 35 grams.
06:01And it's a similar story with the sealant too, because for the 40 millilitres that you get in one of those little bottles, that comes in at about 45 grams.
06:10By reducing the weight of the wheels, especially right at the rim, you'll be able to take advantage of a faster accelerating wheel,
06:19making it easier to attack on the climbs and just beat your mates in the sprints.
06:23But this leads me on to another consideration that you should be thinking about, and that's puncture protection.
06:30Happily, these P-Zero race tyres are equipped with Pirelli's Speedcore technology, meaning that the tyres aren't just fast rolling, but they also contain some puncture protection.
06:43However, by opting for the TLR tyres, if you do get a puncture, then the sealant will be able to take care of it, meaning that you can keep on riding.
06:52Whereas, on the tube setup, you may have to stop to make a repair.
06:59So, what can we take away from all of this information?
07:03Well, smart tubes make a lot of sense for those wanting a lightweight setup, and one which is almost as fast as a tubeless one.
07:12But, if you're looking to go as fast as possible everywhere, from the results, the P-Zero race TLR tyres certainly steal the crown.
07:20They're the fastest rolling, they have the biggest contact patch with the road, aiding in grip and comfort, and, in the event that you do get a puncture, well, you should be able to keep on riding.
07:31They certainly represent themselves as a high-quality option.
07:36Quite frankly, if they are good enough for Trek-Segafrido's Mads Pedersen, then I've no doubt that they will perform for you too.
07:44Happily, these tyres sit within Pirelli's wider range of road tyres.
07:47So, if you're after other performance tyres manufactured in Pirelli's purpose-built factory in Italy, where the highest standards of quality control and technical capability are harnessed,
07:59covering a multitude of different price points and offering different features for different conditions,
08:05then just head to the link below to discover what could be right for you.
08:09Let me know down below, given the results, which setup would you opt for?
08:14If you enjoyed the video, then please do drop it a like, subscribe to the channel for more content, and I will see you again very soon.
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