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review

Vittoria Corsa Fold G2.0 tyre

8
£54.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Fast, with improved wet weather grip and durability, but bear in mind the sidewalls are prone to staining
Weight: 
257g

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The updated Vittoria Corsa G2.0 tyre is more evolution than revolution. The small changes create a refined tyre with a fast, supple feel, plenty of cornering grip and noticeably improved wear rate. The tan sidewalls will still stain, though you can keep them clean.

  • Pros: Fast, supple, grippy, improved wear rate
  • Cons: Those lovely sidewalls will still stain

A few years ago, Vittoria introduced graphene into the tyre world, promising many benefits to rolling resistance, grip and wear. This 2.0 version is still bold in its claims. The new tyres aim to provide '40% reduced rolling resistance, 30% improved grip and 40% improved durability'. That's the stats and there are plenty more. David Arthur went through everything when these were announced. Without a lab to test that stuff, let's get to how they ride.

> Find your nearest dealer here

These tyres were a straight swap for some Specialized S-Works Turbo Cotton tyres that I had on previously. Both feature a 320TPI core spun cotton casing, both have a slick central tread and both are designed for road racing.

Like the S-Works, the Corsa G2.0 comes in several forms, with clincher, tubeless and tubular versions in 23mm to 30mm widths. Which one you choose will depend on where you're riding, but I'm becoming a big fan of wider road tyres, even if I'm still not sold on tubeless.

Mounting up these clinchers is super-simple, and such a supple tyre can easily be done without the aid of levers. I popped 80psi in the Continental Race 28 inner tubes and off I went for a few months of racing and general riding.

> How to choose your tyre pressure

I'm very impressed by the Corsa G2.0. They feel incredibly fast in a straight line, the graphine compound working perfectly to hold speed. They're not quite as fast as the Corsa Speeds that I tested last year, but they're certainly suitable for fast riding.

Vittoria Corsa G2.0 Profile.jpg

The soft sidewalls and soft compound would usually make me think of punctures, but I've experienced no flats, and it's not like I've been overly careful with where I ride. Road races usually descend into a fair bit of moving up in the gutter, hardly where you find the best tarmac, and these have not let me down yet.

One ride highlighted perfectly the tyre's ability in fast riding conditions. Chasing local racers down an unfamiliar mountain in a French stage race demanded quite a bit from the tyres (as well as courage from me). Thankfully, in both wet and dry conditions these felt planted and surefooted – a marked improvement in wet-weather performance.

One of the big downsides to buying tan wall tyres is their tendency to stain. Mix brake pad dust, road grime and rainwater and you've got a paste that is great at leaving a black line all the way around your sidewalls. The S-Works Turbo Cotton is still the best at resisting staining. To give them their due, the Corsa G2.0s clean up pretty well, just not as well as those S-Works tyres, and they're just not as fresh looking as they once were.

The wear rate is pretty good for a race tyre, and they look to be in better condition than the S-Works that they replaced. That will be partly down to the luck of what I rode over while using each tyre, but it seems that Vittoria's claims about wear rate are valid.

Weight is a respectable but not amazing 257g (25mm). That's 17g more than the S-Works Turbo Cotton (26mm), and a more noticeable 37g over a Continental GP5000. Lightness isn't the be all and end all that it once was, though, and I wouldn't suggest that you avoid these tyres because of a marginal weight penalty. It's certainly not holding them back on the hills.

> Buyer's Guide: 33 of the best road cycling tyres

In terms of value, the price is a bit lower than the S-Works Turbo Cotton, and you can get them for £40 at the moment. It's also a fiver less than the Continental GP5000s. It's still an investment, though.

Overall, you're getting a fast tyre with improved wet weather grip and wear rate, at a price that's lower than its main rival. The sidewall is a little susceptible to staining, but seeing as these will mostly be going on summer rides that's not a huge issue.

Verdict

Fast, with improved wet weather grip and durability, but bear in mind the sidewalls are prone to staining

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Vittoria Corsa Fold G2.0 tyre

Size tested: 25mm

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Vittoria says: "The Corsa has been the race-day choice of pros for years, and is now better than ever with 4C Graphene compound technology! The latest Corsa is an evolution of the brand, and brings multiple industry-first technologies to market. Starting with our supple yet durable 320 TPI Corespun-K reinforced casing, and adding a proprietary mix of 4 different Graphene compounds, the new Corsa achieves the holy grail of performance: speed, suppleness, durability, and reliability. Whether winning a Grand Tour, or a local crit, the Corsa family delivers world class performance.

"Tire choice of professional riders in the peloton. Winner of Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, Vuelta a España, Classics, World Championships, European Championships and Olympic Games."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Vittoria lists:

Premium cotton casing conforms closer to the road's surface, providing a smoother ride, easier rolling, and better grip.

Functionalized GRAPHENE 2.0 compound allows for higher speed.

4 compounds in the tread (4C) for increased wear life, lower resistance and improved grip on the sides.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

A very well made tyre, which is what we've come to expect from Vittoria.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Very fast and very grippy.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Sidewalls will stain, but the rubber compound is very resistant to wear.

Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
5/10
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

It's a fiver less than the Continental GP5000 (£59.99) and £6 less than the S-Works Turbo Cotton (£61).

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

A fast race tyre that has huge amounts of grip in the dry.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The wet weather grip has really improved from the previous iteration.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The sidewall is prone to staining, which is annoying as it spoils the look.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Maybe, though I'd probably stick with the S-Works for being less prone to staining.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

They're very good, with much improved grip in the wet over the previous version, though the sidewalls' tendency to stain rather spoils the look.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 24  Height: 177cm  Weight: 62kg

I usually ride: Cannondale Supersix Di2  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo-cross, commuting, club rides, general fitness riding, I specialise in the Cafe Ride!

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13 comments

Avatar
Rapha Nadal | 4 years ago
1 like

"the graphene compound working perfectly to hold speed".

Prove it.

Avatar
Liam Cahill replied to Rapha Nadal | 4 years ago
0 likes
Rapha Nadal wrote:

"the graphene compound working perfectly to hold speed".

Prove it.

www.bicyclerollingresistance.com
Tubeless version tested as fastest ever, 2.0 clincher has lost 0.8w to V1 clincher, but then the rubber on these is lasting much longer than the V1. Still fast.

Avatar
Rapha Nadal replied to Liam Cahill | 4 years ago
2 likes
Liam Cahill wrote:
Rapha Nadal wrote:

"the graphene compound working perfectly to hold speed".

Prove it.

www.bicyclerollingresistance.com Tubeless version tested as fastest ever, 2.0 clincher has lost 0.8w to V1 clincher, but then the rubber on these is lasting much longer than the V1. Still fast.

Doesn't attribute any of it to the graphene though.  

I run the first versions of these, albeit with tubes, and they are indeed quick tyres with a lovely ride to boot.  Putting it purely down to the graphene is pure BS.

Avatar
sammutd88 replied to Liam Cahill | 4 years ago
0 likes
Liam Cahill wrote:
Rapha Nadal wrote:

"the graphene compound working perfectly to hold speed".

Prove it.

www.bicyclerollingresistance.com Tubeless version tested as fastest ever, 2.0 clincher has lost 0.8w to V1 clincher, but then the rubber on these is lasting much longer than the V1. Still fast.

 

Get the details correct. BRR tested the new Corsa SPEED TLR as the fastest ever. The thin, TT tyre with hardly any puncture protection. Not the new Corsa TLR, the tubeless version of the standard clincher Corsa. Different beast. 

Avatar
mtbtomo | 4 years ago
0 likes

Yeah, these were some of the easiest tyres to mount that I've ever bought!

Avatar
mtbtomo | 4 years ago
0 likes

Yeah, these were some of the easiest tyres to mount that I've ever bought!

Avatar
dooderooni | 4 years ago
0 likes

As much as I love the V1 Corsas I have, they can be a pain to get on and off depending on your rim. That being said, the performance and grip is more than worth the effort.

Avatar
Simmo72 | 4 years ago
0 likes

never had an issue on fulcrum or campag wheels. maybe it's rim specific 

Avatar
othello | 4 years ago
1 like

Mounting up these clinchers is super-simple, and such a supple tyre can easily be done without the aid of levers.

Hold on a minute! Unless the v2 you were testing are radically different from the v1's, you are not getting them on without tyres levers! 

The originals were notorious for being an absolute b**tard for getting on, and required overnight stretching first, and usualy a VAG tyre lever. 

Avatar
KINGHORN replied to othello | 4 years ago
2 likes
othello wrote:

Mounting up these clinchers is super-simple, and such a supple tyre can easily be done without the aid of levers.

Hold on a minute! Unless the v2 you were testing are radically different from the v1's, you are not getting them on without tyres levers! 

The originals were notorious for being an absolute b**tard for getting on, and required overnight stretching first, and usualy a VAG tyre lever. 

 

Are you using tubless wheelset, because I found the v1 super easy to remove and mount!

Avatar
sammutd88 replied to othello | 4 years ago
1 like
othello wrote:

Mounting up these clinchers is super-simple, and such a supple tyre can easily be done without the aid of levers.

Hold on a minute! Unless the v2 you were testing are radically different from the v1's, you are not getting them on without tyres levers! 

The originals were notorious for being an absolute b**tard for getting on, and required overnight stretching first, and usualy a VAG tyre lever. 

No way! Rolled on with thumbs!

Avatar
reippuert replied to othello | 4 years ago
0 likes
othello wrote:

Mounting up these clinchers is super-simple, and such a supple tyre can easily be done without the aid of levers.

Hold on a minute! Unless the v2 you were testing are radically different from the v1's, you are not getting them on without tyres levers! 

The originals were notorious for being an absolute b**tard for getting on, and required overnight stretching first, and usualy a VAG tyre lever. 

 

Sounds like its an issue with your rims... Il bet you could mount them and remove them from an Open Pro rim using only 1 hand.

Avatar
gary p replied to othello | 4 years ago
0 likes
othello wrote:

Unless the v2 you were testing are radically different from the v1's, you are not getting them on without tyres levers! 

I'm with you, othello.  I've never had so many expletives esacape my lips when mounting a set of tires as I did with a pair off v1 Corsas.  Lovely tire to ride on, but I found them hecking miserable to mount. 

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