It can be difficult to find a Mountain Bike tyre which is lightweight, has low rolling-resistance, but still grips well in a variety of conditions. In this article I will be explaining why I feel the Vittoria Barzo is the answer to that dilemma.
The Barzo is an aggressive XC tyre ready to take on technical terrain in wet and dry conditions. The central tread pattern minimizes rolling-resistance helping the Barzo to roll fast on most surfaces. It’s rounded profile and sharp side lugs really help to give the tyre excellent grip and predictable handling in the corners.
In this review, I was using the 27.5 x 2.25″ Folding Bead version as a front tyre. However, it’s available in many other different wheel sizes and volumes.
Speed and Grip
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, due to its central tread pattern this tyre rolls fast in most terrain. This is particularly noticeable when you have to ride on the road for any length of time to reach the trails. When comparing this tyre to the WTB Vigilante it replaced, the difference was night and day. However, this speed doesn’t mean that grip has been compromised in any way.
The rounded profile, aggressive tread pattern and square knobs provide excellent grip in corners. I also found they offer plenty of bite for climbing, whether that be seated or standing. The only time I felt a slight loss of grip was on very loose, dry corners, but even then it was controllable/predictable.
Vittoria Barzo TNT tyre review (bike radar)
Fast and aggressive tyre for technical courses with decent speed and front or rear suitability
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Vittoria is the only company to use four rubber compounds for the tread of its tyres, and the Barzo XC tyre is no exception.
Its compound is formulated using the wonder material dubbed Graphene 2.0. Vittoria claims using graphene leads to unparalleled grip in loose and mixed conditions, and keeps on gripping in the wet.
Fast and aggressive tyre for technical courses with decent speed and front or rear suitability
.
Vittoria is the only company to use four rubber compounds for the tread of its tyres, and the Barzo XC tyre is no exception.
Its compound is formulated using the wonder material dubbed Graphene 2.0. Vittoria claims using graphene leads to unparalleled grip in loose and mixed conditions, and keeps on gripping in the wet.
Vittoria Barzo TNT 29 x 2.25in performance
All the technical wizardry in the graphene-infused tread compound along with the tread pattern design translates to a very aggressive XC tyre that suits demanding and technical courses.
The continuous crown down the centre, formed by the alternating angled blocks, gives these tyres a great turn of speed when you get on the gas out of corners and rip up a climb.
All the technical wizardry in the graphene-infused tread compound along with the tread pattern design translates to a very aggressive XC tyre that suits demanding and technical courses.
The continuous crown down the centre, formed by the alternating angled blocks, gives these tyres a great turn of speed when you get on the gas out of corners and rip up a climb.
Pros:
Aggressive tyre that suits demanding and technical trails; can be used as a front or rear tyre; works well across intermediate to muddy tracks
