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Launched in Might of this yr the fifth-generation Rubino, aptly referred to as the Rubino V, is the newest incarnation of Vittoria’s widespread Rubino vary. In reality, phrase on the road is that the earlier Rubino is Vittoria’s greatest promoting tyre, although we have not bought that in writing. In any case, even when there’s solely a small grain of reality in that it means there’s in all probability a variety of you curious about whether or not the newest model is any good or not.
In comparison with its Corsa vary, the Rubino V is geared toward on a regular basis efficiency, the go-to tyre of selection for lunch rides, metropolis using, commuting and every part in between the place a steadiness of efficiency components are required reasonably than merely hitting that low weight, low rolling resistance, excessive grip candy spot that the greatest highway bike tyres purpose for.
The most recent choice is accessible in tubeless prepared and tube-type choices, satisfying those that have seen the sunshine and worth the puncture-sealing talents of tubeless programs, and people like me preferring the simplicity of tubes.
Curiously, Vittoria has additionally lowered the environmental impression of the Rubino V, with the model saying the tubeless prepared choice emits 4% much less CO2 emissions than its predecessor and the tube-type a whopping 20%.
The brand new Rubino V is accessible with black or tan sidewall colors.
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The venerable Rubino Professional has been changed by the Rubino V, with a brand new look. (Picture credit score: Emma Cole)
I examined the tubeless model, although I at all times run tubes so in realisty I ought to have used the clincher model.(Picture credit score: Emma Cole)
There was an actual battle to get them on my rims, however as soon as on they seated simply. (Picture credit score: Emma Cole)
Design and aesthetics
Vittoria says the up to date design of the tyre will higher face up to the every day grind of intervals, crit racing, and no matter else you will have deliberate. This general-purpose nature does imply it is not going to out-perform the likes of the model’s high finish Corsa Professional tyres, and even the second tier Corsa N.ext when it comes to straight line velocity, but it surely does when it comes to worth.
The Rubino V has an up to date tread, which Vittoria says will increase velocity, grip, and sturdiness due to the mix of a easy centre and up to date chevron clusters. To this it has modified the rubber compound with extra silica added to the combination, so as to add to the graphene inclusions the outgoing mannequin had. It says this elevates the lengthy mileage, puncture resistance, excessive grip, and velocity capabilities of the Rubino.
The thread depend has additionally been up to date, with a 100TPI nylon casing which, when mixed with the brand new compound, has alleged advantages for puncture resistance.
In response to Vittoria, the tubeless prepared and tube-type tyre gives first rate enhancements in comparison with its predecessor in in rolling effectivity, grip and weight discount. As an example, the tubeless-ready Rubino is 10 % lighter, 5 % grippier and has an 11 % rolling effectivity in comparison with the outgoing mannequin, whereas the tube kind is 12 % lighter and 5 % extra environment friendly.
There’s additionally a bead protect and anti-puncture belt for further safety, and given loads of Rubinos can be put to make use of inside metropolis limits with glass and particles a loads that is definitely an excellent factor.
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The Rubino V goals to be a little bit of every part, and a real all-purpose highway tyre. (Picture credit score: Emma Cole)
Whereas it has a central slick part, the shoulders are closely textured. (Picture credit score: Emma Cole)
The casing is, by the numbers, much less supple than the previous model, however the highway really feel has been improved. (Picture credit score: Emma Cole)
Efficiency
Right here we go, the half the place I admit I’m certainly very similar to tech author Tom in my desire for avoiding tubeless and as such I can let you know my inside tube-loving ideas.
Firstly, getting these tyres on was like squeezing right into a pair of bibs three sizes too small, or like what I think about it might be like wrestling a monkey right into a automotive seat, however with sufficient perseverance and dedication, potential.
Armed with a military of tyre levers and endurance, the Rubino Vs slowly succumbed to my Mavic All Highway rims. The issue in mounting these tyres was partly my fault as I selected to run the TLR model with tubes, which is all superb besides it means the tyre will naturally match a bit tighter.
These tyres additionally aren’t too heavy. On my scales, they weighed simply shy of 335g; not dangerous contemplating Vittoria claims they’re at 340g, however when set in opposition to the likes of the equally pitched mid-range Schwalbe One, which weigh in at 290g per tyre, additionally they aren’t loopy mild both.
Regardless of the battle to get these on, as soon as using the wrestling recollections wafted into the space because the tyres got here into their very own. What was essentially the most hanging was how they impressed in sturdiness and floor adaptability.
Driving across the largely easy asphalt of Malta, the Rubino Vs rolled effortlessly alongside, feeling easy and slick, and the dealing with confidence was noticeable too. The place easy tarmac turned to potholes and the odd chunk of gravel, the tyres stayed on the trail confidently, nonetheless feeling comparatively secure and had first rate traction.
The Rubino Vs are grippy, however I nonetheless felt the velocity (and wind in my hair) when placing in an effort. The damping qualities of appear to have been improved versus the outdated mannequin in my expertise, regardless of the casing being nominally much less supple at 100TPI versus 150TPI.
For a go-to highway tyre which is supposed to do all of it, the consolation of those tyres can be wonderful. When the highway switches abruptly from easy tarmac to dusty and gravelly, it’s not a cumbersome change and the tyres responded effectively to a variation of surfaces.
Whereas I’ve not but tried these tyres within the moist as Malta is at present desert dry, I used to be capable of nod on the puncture resistance. Driving over stones, chunks of highway and damaged glass, the Rubino V tyres carried out effectively, neither sporting any cuts or nicks nor a puncture in sight, regardless of my lack of tubeless sealant. The addition of the graphene and silica tread compound and the puncture safety on provide appears to be working, at the least in my expertise. They are not a devoted tough-guy tyre to go up in opposition to the likes of the Pirelli Cinturato Velo or the Continental Gatorskin Hardshell, however they carry out in addition to might be anticipated on this regard.
At £44.99 – £59.99 relying on the place you store round from, the Rubino V could be a sensible choice for his or her worth level and efficiency stage, however when in comparison with related tyres at present available on the market, I’d be tempted to spend a bit extra for a greater tyre.
I’m a fan of the Pirelli P Zero Race 4S tyres, as I discover them sturdy sufficient for all-season highway using and so they really feel a bit of shaper and sooner as compared. In my expertise, the Rubino V fall wanting the smoothness of the P Zero Race 4S because the Rubino rolls barely extra laboured. Whereas a tough factor to quantify primarily based on really feel, I discover the P Zero’s provide a extra fluid journey when in comparison with the Rubino V however this comes at the next worth. They’re barely dearer, however with procuring round you could find them at a worth near the Rubino V at occasions.
Whereas not essentially a like-for-like comparability, it’s at all times helpful to match merchandise to a benchmark (official or in any other case), and within the case of highway bike tyres the Continental GP5000 is the de facto gold normal. It’s dearer, although within the clincher model it’s lower than £25 further (although you must double this for a set, in fact).
The GP5000 lighter at a claimed 235g however with a 330TPI casing, and on your further £50 you get a decrease rolling resistance to go together with the decrease weight, and improved cornering grip. The flip facet of that is that they’re extra liable to punctures, and dearer to interchange in the event you completely destroy them.
I at present run the Pirelli P Zeros on my Specialised Venge (RIP) and the Continental GP5000s on my Cannondale CAAD8 (additionally RIP), and I’d be tempted to swap the GP5000s for the Rubino V, particularly for the Rubino’s puncture resistance advantages and floor adaptability, except I used to be on a journey the place out and out efficiency was the purpose.
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There’s a black sidewall choice, however tan may be very a lot in style. (Picture credit score: Emma Cole)
Whereas I examined the 28c, you may go right down to a 26c (for older bikes) and as much as a 32c if you’d like much more consolation and grip. (Picture credit score: Emma Cole)
Verdict
In the end, while you take a look at the value, puncture resistance and traction of the Rubino V, it a wonderful choice for an on a regular basis efficiency tyre with an honest steadiness of tech, sturdiness and worth for cash.
The Rubino Vs are the kind of tyres you match and overlook however can regularly depend on. The tyres are the perfect commuter, lunch laps and normal use highway tyre as they will deal with a variety of climate situations and highway surfaces due to their sturdiness and tread.
At £59.99 for tubeless-ready and £44.99 for clincher, the tyres are additionally effectively priced for an on a regular basis tyre. They do face stiff competitors although from the likes of Pirelli and Continental.
Whereas I discovered the Rubino V’s tough to get on, this was partly right down to my selection of the vary so select properly in the event you run tubes. Both method, it’s not a deal breaker only a small inconvenience.
I significantly like Vittoria’s transparency on the carbon footprint of every tyre and stay up for extra manufacturers releasing this data so shoppers could make a extra knowledgeable selection.
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Testing scorecard and notes
Attributes
Notes
Ranking
Design and aesthetics
Easy and unfussy, however with first rate modifications over the outdated mannequin
7/10
Efficiency
For the value the Rubino V carried out very effectively
9/10
Setup
Actually fairly arduous to get onto my rim, however seated simply after that.
5/10
Puncture resistance
Up to now, so good. Not a heavyweight metropolis curler, however as a generalist the Rubino is hardy sufficient.
8/10
Worth
Contemplating many tyres price greater than double the Rubino gives quite a bit for a comparatively low worth.
