SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING

Vittoria Randonneur Trail tyres are designed to tackle unmade roads, tracks and trails without being too ponderous across smooth tarmac. Weighing a whopping 900g apiece, slicks of comparable section will literally blow them to the kerb through town. That said; they’re swifter than tread pattern suggests and come into their own over badly surfaced stuff.

​

Dual compound 3d aramid casings adhere to the stiff centre strip and soft shoulder narrative, meaning they should roll and corner in good proportion - which they do; four seasons round. 

Admittedly, there’s been a pregnant pause or two when clattering across wet manhole covers/similar ironworks. I’ve never come close to going rubber-up here; or when swerving around holes, spilt diesel and similar delights. 

Specification is also good price wise. That relatively deep tread employs something called “aquashield technology”; which supposedly disperses water, taking flints, glass and other nasties along too. Two flats in 2,200 miles suggests there’s more to this than slick marketing and aside from some obvious smoothing of the centre strip, ours are waging extremely gracefully.

 

Elsewhere, stout, reflective sidewalls feature dynamo track and tyre levers proved unnecessary on our 26x1.75 samples. Traction is impressive through moderate bridle path and forest tracks and they’re remarkably competent to around 20 mph when run between 55 and 65psi. Even at these pressures, 30 tpi casings haven’t delivered overly harsh ride when green-laning. 

​

Despite considerable “everyman” charm, there are some definite compromises. Limitations became particularly apparent on fast, sweeping descents littered with tree roots and similar obstacles. We’re not in short-soiling territory just don’t expect to wheel suck a skilled XC rider at 30mph. Similarly, on the open road at club typical paces; their increased girth and rolling resistance becomes quite noticeable after 40 miles or so.

 

That said; there’s no irritating whine and this resistance didn’t merit their substitution on middle distance loops of 15-20 miles. Far from being jack of all trades, master of none; the Vittoria Randonneur Trail favour all terrain tourists who want a go anywhere tyre but are willing to accept some trade off in outright speed. There is also a 700x32 and 35mm sections, which we reckon make a good bet for gravel and cross bikes.