Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M 700x35C Tire Review

[@francoisrdt]

Great review. Been running those in 45mm for three seasons and they have been outstanding, so much so that it convinced three friends to get their own set. All of them opted for narrower variants (35mm, 40mm) - I tried them myself: those narrower variants are not as great as they lose in suppleness and stability. For me, the 45mm aren’t the fastest of the bunch (my René Herse are), but they roll decently fast in all conditions and above all, their grip and stability in the gnar and mud is unmatched. They are great for singletrack and ideal for canadian shoulder season, I highly recommend - in 45mm width.

[@MountainRoadRide]

Great feedback! Thanks for weighing in with your experience with the 45mm tires. Good to hear that my opinion that a wider Gravel M tire will be better is valid. Happy riding!

[@SJ-tk4ri]

When I saw you were reviewing the 35mm I predicted almost everything you went on to say. The larger volume version of the Gravel M’s are a great tyre, as you have already experienced, and I’m sure the 35’s have their place, but in 700c for gravel riding the 40’s and 45’s are a great choice.

[@TBATTIECYCLING]

Yeah I’d go 40 plus on gravel

[@stillshunter]

This, along with your 650x50b, review seals it for me. Very comprehensive. Well done! My Revolt can fit up to 700x53 so a set of Cinturato Gravel Ms in 700x50c on their way. Thank you!

[@patbriggsmbr]

Finally a channel that’s just up my street. Found your channel by chance and fined it brilliant, well done. 👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@MountainRoadRide]

That’s awesome! So glad you found the channel. Welcome, and thank you for the feedback!

[@bobharner5950]

The Cinturato Gravel H (instead of M) is what you'd probably want to go with for more speed. I've got them in 650x45 and they've been great with their less aggressive tread. You simply can't have both an aggressive tread and a fast tread in the same tire.

[@MountainRoadRide]

Very true! We are all looking for that holy grail tire that can do it all, but in reality we can only be (best) geared for the conditions that will prevail most frequently. I looked at the Gravel H, but questioned its durability. What does the wear rate look like on those?

[@bobharner5950]

@@MountainRoadRide Beats me. I've only put 700 miles on them since May (a lot of Loudon County gravel, and the same TransVA trip you did on May 22), and they don't have any noticeable wear yet.

[@GMoneyLove]

And my quest for a replacement for my 38mm Gravel Kings continues... good insight as always. Thanks!

[@MountainRoadRide]

Always great to see your comment come through! I've been experimenting with some wider slick gravel tires lately. For "all-road" riding conditions they have been extremely impressive. Maybe something to look into... Panaracer, Maxxis and Rene Herse have a few solid tires in the 38-40mm slick segment.

[@GMoneyLove]

@@MountainRoadRide I'll check them out. I like some tread for cornering etc. but would prefer more suppe. Oh, and a tread pattern that won't shot-peen my downtube with small pebbles! ;-)

[@frankhammond9909]

I don't know what you went with ultimately, but I had the Gravel Kings in 38 and switched to the Pathfinder Pro 38's and in my opinion they are faster and much more durable.

[@paddlingfan1]

I have been riding on the 700c x 45mm M since March on my 2021 Trek Checkpoint SL5. I currently have 2,800 miles on them. I just rotated front to back. I think I can get at least 3,500 miles out of this set. I have a fresh set ready to go on once I deem these worn out. I ride 30% Gravel and the rest a combination of Chip and Oil in various states of repair or disrepair and pavement. I have been experimenting with tire pressure from 30 - 28 PSI in front and 30-35 PSI in the rear. They work great for me. No they are not super fast but they are not slow either. I have never had a flat. I did have a hard time mounting them when new on 19mm rims but I pumped them up with a standard floor pump. The only problem I have had was a couple of days ago when they started bouncing like basketballs on a severer washboard. Maybe I should try even lower pressures in the future? I do not have a large range of experience with gravel tires but these have worked out even better than I expected.

[@MountainRoadRide]

This is great feedback about how the larger volume tires perform. I figured that the limitations which I mentioned in the review will be less when it comes to the wider width versions. If I could pick again, I would go for the 40mm option.

[@paddlingfan1]

@@MountainRoadRide I have to say that the 40s and the 45s are not the same. If you calculate the air volume steps from 35mm to 40mm to 45mm to 50mm. It's an ever increasing increment. How the 45mm size handles may not be reflected by the 40mm size. I believe air volume in the M may be key to their success with me. Yes they are less arrow than a narrow tire but they may ride better making up for some of that loss of aerodynamic. I'm an old man so I'm not averaging speeds as high as you I'm sure.

[@Thomas-fy9yc]

I’m running 700x45 on my 3T Exploro on Hunt XWide wheels. I run them tubeless. They work great and I can easily keep up with roadies on tarmac, and they hold speed well. Crazy grip on loose dirt. I have the same wheel set with Pathfinder Pro tires in 38c and the Pirelli feels faster. The Pirellis replaced a pair WTB Riddlers in 42c which were slower and more prone to punctures.

[@paddlingfan1]

@@Thomas-fy9yc I just swapped rims from 17mm center to 25mm center rims. Wow! What a difference these wider rims make. These rims really have stiffened up the feel. I think I can reduce air pressure by at least 3 PSI and be just as fast on the hard if not faster. We will see.

[@cavm11]

What is the lower psi for those 700x45 Pirellis? The '40s are not supposed to be ridden with less than 36 psi.

[@marcinzarod6612]

Great review. I'd love additional insights about grip in mud / loose rocks / tarmac / wet tarmac / mixed ice-tarmac.

[@MountainRoadRide]

Thanks! When conditions get real muddy or icy I mostly opt to ride with my wider Gravel M tires in the 650Bx50 size. I made a review of this tire as well (kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKmcm2t7n9RqosU). I demonstrate most of the conditions that you mentioned in that review.

[@bikebudha01]

Been riding this tire for the past year. It's great. Rolls great on pavement. Has fairly good tracking on gravel/fire roads. Been using the 35mm version. Really wished it was available in 38mm (as that's the largest size my frame can use)....

[@andrehendrik]

How do you like those Fulcrum wheels?

[@jerbyjerbjerb]

Was the Cinturato M 35c fast at the pave roads or do you still think it need to be on the 40c? how about the Cinturato H version on 35c?

[@TBATTIECYCLING]

I’ve just put 35c H on mine. Going out tomorrow so will let you know

[@theop1875]

@@TBATTIECYCLING Hey! Any updates on the 35c H?

[@pavelcekal2917]

Hello, I would like to get on my bike: Triban GRVL 520 Sram Apex 1x11 buy rims DT Swiss G 1800 Spline. And according to the manufacturer, I can use 650x47 or 700x42 Please advise, What option would you choose from my options?

[@MountainRoadRide]

Two questions: What wheelset do you own? Where do you plan to ride most frequently? If you only own a 700c wheelset then you’re only choice is the 700x42. If you have both 700 & 650 wheelsets, then you’ll need to think where you want to ride. If the terrain is more technical, then 650x47, if there are only some technical parts, then I’d go for the 700x42.

[@tariqkamil7853]

Great review, so what did u settle on ?

[@MountainRoadRide]

I’ve been switching things up lately. I’ve used the Pirelli 700x35C on rides that require more grip (in wet and muddy conditions) - see my Grinder Nationals & unPAved Gravel Ride of the Week videos. However for the summer I’ve been riding a set of Panaracer GravelKing SS tires that measure in around 38mm. Great tire when the routes includes a good mix between paved and gravel roads.

[@gabrielmarias972]

Hi, i have some gravel trails that are tought trails ...but my bike only have 35c max clearance, so what 35c agresive tire will you recomend me? This? Gravel king SK? Any Vitoria? And what pressure do you use?ñ in 25! 30psi? Thanks

[@MountainRoadRide]

I know I’m harsh on the Pirelli tires in this video, but I still think this is one of the best all-round tires on the market. I haven’t tested the SKs or Vitorias yet, so can’t really comment on those. If trails are what you want to take on, then the Pirelli GravelM will be a great choice. Excellent grip, and solidly made that will provide great puncture protection. I run mine at 35psi on trails, 36psi on gravel roads and 38-40psi when I go for a pure road ride.

[@gabrielmarias972]

@@MountainRoadRide thanks a lot, i run carbon wheels, do you think the walls of the pirelli are enought to protect some damage of the rim? Are you test inserts like tubolight? I wonder how manage pressure tire comfort-traction-rim protection 😆 Thanks

[@KeithHeinrich]

Perplexed at the notion of "fast" general purpose gravel tire. Surely grip and puncture protection are the primary functions of a gravel tire for people cruising trails and not racing. Its why I got them, their reported reliability a main consideration, performance and handling a bonus. As others noted 40mm seems to be the sweet spot for performance and a good compromise for grip and speed with these tires. Mine have seen an easy 30km/h on dirt which is plenty fast enough for me. Running 40mm @ 30 front, 34 rear tubeless and they are fairly compliant on gentle terrain. Racing is a whole different deal and Pirelli make other tires for that, their RC series where they state speed and lateral grip are primary considerations. Maybe that's something you could look into and tell us about. Why should we consider one over the other for example.

[@paddyotoole2058]

You shouldn’t be perplexed at all. Some folks want to go faster and not be cruising the trails. Also what happens if you want to go fast in wet and/or muddy conditions? Or live in a climate which sees a lot of frequent rainfall? Or if your local gravel trails are very varied and have lots of rougher trails, slippery tree roots and steep climbs where solid traction is needed? The RC series tyres are not going to be enough.

[@jimbojet8728]

I am sold on this tyre. So it’s the 35 or the 40? What do I do? Aaaaaaa! Thank you for a very interesting vid.

[@silkroadcycling1414]

Hi, I'm searching for a fast rolling gravel tire max. around 36mm as I'm limited in space. Recently I've seen so many tires, but I guess the most interesting ones are Goodyear Connector and Conti Terra Speed. I will ride mainly light gravel and just don't want to slip around heavily ;)

[@MountainRoadRide]

I think you've mentioned two really good options there. I haven't tested any of those tires yet, so I can't make any statements about how they perform. Another option to consider is the Panaracer GravelKing SS (amzn.to/3IP9ojQ). I own these, but a word of warning - they expand A LOT. My 700x35C tires measure in at 38mm. They're also a pain to fit. Another tire that gets great reviews from a "Fast-rolling" standpoint is the Challenge Strade Bianca (amzn.to/3GdoEoX) which comes in a 700x36C size. From what I've read, they are fast, but are super difficult to fit and fairly expensive.

[@cavm11]

Hi. What do you think is best, pirelli cinturato gravel m or wtb nano 40 sg2?

[@MountainRoadRide]

Interesting comparison! I've reviewed the WTB Nano 40 in the past (kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKCvfWmYgLuci5o), but that was for the non-sg2 version. Since I haven't ridden the SG2 version I can only refer to the tanwall version of the WTB Nano tire. If I put the Gravel M vs WTB Nano (tanwall) head to head this is what I think: Suppleness - WTB Nano wins, but I'm guessing the SG2 will make for a slightly harsher ride given the additional puncture protection. Grip - Gravel M is brilliant in this regard. Durability - Gravel M. Road (paved) speed - WTB Nano. Muddy conditions - Gravel M. Puncture Protection - Gravel M, but again SG2 might be on par. Cornering confidence - Gravel M (it has a wider outer knob).

[@cavm11]

@@MountainRoadRide Excellent, thank you so much for the feedback, great job doing this review!

[@MrFrescocotone]

Look into thr Continental Terra Trail

[@Βόρειο_Σέλας]

Currently I am looking to buy new 650bx45 for my Kona Dr Dew and I narrowed down to the Continental Terra Trail and the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M, the Rene Herse are in contention as well but more expensive than the former two. I ride 70% seal/bitumen bike tracks and the rest is offroad ie gravel hard packed and loose. I am sitting on the fence at the moment and cant decide.

[@MrFrescocotone]

@@Βόρειο_Σέλας For me Continental Terra Trail better than Cinturato M. Cinturato H better than Terra Speed. But we're talking of top notch choices anyway

[@Βόρειο_Σέλας]

@@MrFrescocotone Agree. Problem with conti, they don't have 650x45, they only have 40mm, too narrow for me. So that leaves me with Pirellis

[@MrFrescocotone]

@@Βόρειο_Σέλας you'll not be let down. Fantastic choice

[@Spork123able]

I have to say it. Get to the Chopper!