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review

Hutchinson Sector 28c tubeless tyre

8
£69.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Very good all-conditions tubeless tyre for UK riding, once you've worn them in (and got over the cost)
Weight: 
290g

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Hutchinson designed the Sector 28 for the pro teams they sponsor, for racing over the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix. As such it's a big tyre that's tough as well as being light, but it's the comfort that really shines through here. Well, that and the fact that you don't get any punctures. They're not even that much of a pain to fit.

Why go tubeless? Well, the main reasons normally cited are less punctures, better comfort and lower rolling resistance.

You can't pinch flat the tube (where you compress the tyre against the rim and it cuts the tube) because there isn't one. And the sealant that you put into the tyre to make it airtight also does a good job of filling up any holes caused by the likes of thorns or glass.

The elimination of pinch flats means you can run the tyres at a lower pressure, making them more comfortable. And because there's not two layers of material (tyre and tube) pressing against each other the carcass can deform more easily, which the manufacturers will tell you makes for lower rolling resistance.

Sounds good? It is, generally, aside from the fact that you'll need a tubeless-ready wheelset and some other gubbins (rim strips, valves, sealant) that ups the overall price. The main other downside is that the tyres are much more labour-intensive to fit. Things are improving though. Tubeless tyres used to be so tight at the bead that it was a Herculean task to actually get them on the rim, requiring some serious tyre levers and swear words. But that's not the case with these Hutchinsons. They went onto a pair of Bontrager Affinity tubeless-ready wheels with a bit of thumb pressure and nothing more.

Once you have a tubeless tyre on the rim you need to inflate it to get the bead in position. Sometimes you can do this with a track pump but I had no joy at all with these, so I resorted to the tried-and-tested method of a C02 cannister to pop them on (you can also use a compressor). Once seated you can deflate them and inflate them with a track pump with no problems.

I had a few issues sealing the Sector 28s but in the end I think I was just being a bit stingy with the sealant. They take at least 40ml of sealant to do properly, more than the 30ml you'd normally assign to a road tyre; that's not surprising given that it's a bigger chamber. Now they're well sealed they're not losing much pressure. Although tubeless tyres do generally deflate quicker than a butyl tube, and it's worth checking them before a ride, these Sectors are better than many and I go weeks without topping them up.

They're really comfy tyres, that's maybe their best feature. Hutchinson recommend a rather high minimum pressure of 87psi; most of the time I ran them about 80 and went as low as 70 with no problems at all. The difference in comfort between these and a 25mm road tyre is immediately noticeable, and welcome. At 295g plus sealant these aren't the lightest tyres out there but you'll save yourself the ~70g of an inner tube, making them competitive, especially for a big tyre. They don't ever feel heavy or slow. Whether a particular tubeless tyre rolls empirically better than a tubed tyre is an argument for the lab, but those gains or losses are normally pretty marginal, whereas the comfort gain is immediately noticeable.

I haven't punctured them either, and that's with plenty of deliberate excursions into hedge clippings and other detritus, and lots of miles on unmade surfaces too. I have pulled a single solitary thorn out of the carcass, and the sealant (I used Effetto Mariposa's Caffelatex) plugged the hole just fine, a bit of fizzing and bubbling and then no more. That's at worst a top-up from the pump, rather than removing the wheel and tyre and replacing or mending the tube. If you manage to put a hole in the tyre big enough that the sealant won't fix it, Hutchinson do a repair kit but the roadside fix is the same as a normal tyre: stick a tyre boot over the inside of the hole and then bung a tube in; you'll still need to carry one, just in case.

Grip straight out of the box is average, but it improves markedly with riding. The harder central section is a bit slippy when it's new. You notice standing up on greasy back-road climbs and it's a bit too easy to lock up the rear under braking. Things improve after a few rides though, and after that they're a very competent all-rounder, with good levels of grip available and especially so when cornering on the softer shoulder sections. You might want to give the central ridge a light going over with the sandpaper before you ride them to accelerate the aging process. They're not always as tenacious as a summer race tyre, but they're better than most winter tyres I've tried, and largely very predictable. You get the benefit of a bigger contact patch, and the lower pressure and reasonably supple casing means they're great on broken-up back-road tarmac.

Overall these are a great set of tyres for most UK riding. They're comfortable, difficult to puncture, comfortable, quick and comfortable. I'm not sure they'd be my first choice for racing (although people do choose them - http://www.averagecyclist.com/2013/08/review-hutchinson-sector-28-tubele...) but for pretty much everything else they're spot on. At £70 (£50 online) an end they're expensive, no getting away from that, and that's assuming you have everything else you need to get them fitted and sealed. But if you've decided to make the switch to tubeless, and you can fit a 28mm tyre in your frame, these are an excellent choice.

Verdict

Very good all-conditions tubeless tyre for UK riding, once you've worn them in (and got over the cost)

road.cc test report

Make and model: Hutchinson Sector 28c tubeless tyre

Size tested: 28c

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?

Sector 28 was developped for professional teams competing at the Paris-Roubaix Classic. This is a large section 28mm competition tire that excels on rough roads, cobblestones and gravel conditions. Weighing in at only 295 grams, it's efficient and has a low rolling resistance despite its 28mm profile. It does require sealant (Protect'Air Max) to be air-tight. The tread is a slick on top with slightly grooved sidewalls. The dual compound tread offers efficiency when on top of the tire and excellent grip when cornering. It's round profile makes for a very predictable handling tire.

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

* High-quality ride and performance

* 28mm section for the optimum rough condition ride

* Ride Lock beads for safety

* Dual compound tread performs well in all weather conditions

* 127 TPI supple yet resiliant casing

* Only 295 grams (without sealant)

* Puncture breaker under the tread helps prevent punctures without affecting performance

* Pinch flats eliminated

* Lower pressures for comfortable ride

* Self-repairing with Protect'Air Max Sealant (required)

* Patchable with a Hutchinson Rep'Air Patch Kit

* Quality Made in France

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
10/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

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

Really well, a great all-rounder

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

SO comfortable, no punctures

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Grip not the best when new, fitting tubeless is a faff

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 42  Height: 190cm  Weight: 100kg

I usually ride: whatever I'm testing...  My best bike is: Kinesis Tripster ATR

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track

 

Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

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22 comments

Avatar
Valentino | 9 years ago
0 likes

Regarding the with of these tyres:
They measure 26 mm wide on 15c rims like Campagnolo Zonda/Eurus/Shamal and the Fulcrum Racing series.
You'd need a 17c rim to get 28mm out of them, just like the Conti GP4season 28 mm.

I haven't had mine out on the road yet, but according to this review I should get some wear on them now that it's dry.

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carytb | 9 years ago
0 likes

I've just got a pair and mounted them on a set of Stans Grail rims. No trouble at all mounting them and they seated easily with a floor pump. Have not yet put the sealant in but both held air for about 10 minutes before going flat. I have got high hopes for them.

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CanAmSteve | 9 years ago
0 likes

I also got mine in the US at a very good price. Oddly, on Ultegra tubeless wheels, I lose more air from these (over a week) than from a set of 25mm Intensive tubeless tyres - both with Stan's

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LondonDynaslow | 9 years ago
0 likes

has anyone used tubeless on H+ Son Archetype? Strada says they're tubeless ready but lots of people on forums say they're not!

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Choco replied to LondonDynaslow | 9 years ago
0 likes

hydrophil,

No issues what so ever, I run the Schwalbe One 25/28mm's just fine!

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LondonDynaslow replied to Choco | 9 years ago
0 likes
Choco wrote:

hydrophil,

No issues what so ever, I run the Schwalbe One 25/28mm's just fine!

Sorry, not sure if that was directed at Hydrophil or me (re the H+ Son Archetypes)? If it was for me, thanks!

Avatar
hydrophil | 9 years ago
0 likes

Ive had these Sectors 28s on my bike for 6 months now and I have to say they are excellent. Sourcing them was a pain tho' and I ended up getting them from a bike shop in the States (www.velomine.com) and they were £72 shipped for the pair which was a great price.
I run them down at between 75 and 85 psi in poorer conditions and up around 90psi when dry. They corner well, give lots of grip and make the bike very comfy to ride. Not a single puncture to date.
I use them on Stans rims with Stans sealant and have had no problems so far. Highly recommended.
if anyone is interested, Ive got some Hutchinson Atom 21s for sale that I also fitted but then took off after a few miles because I wanted something wider. drop me a line if interested (phil.merrin [at] gmail.com)
Tubeless is standard in the MTB world and with tyres as good as this, there is no reason why they cant be the same in the road world.

Avatar
IngloriousLou replied to hydrophil | 9 years ago
0 likes
hydrophil wrote:

Ive had these Sectors 28s on my bike for 6 months now and I have to say they are excellent.
...
I use them on Stans rims with Stans sealant and have had no problems so far.

Which Stans' rims are you using? I have a set of Alpha400 that I'm considering pairing with these tyres for tour of flanders next year.

Avatar
Choco | 9 years ago
0 likes

Unlike the original Hutchy tubeless tyress where the Atom23 actually measured 19/21mm, the Fusion23 around 21mm, and the Intensive25 at 23mm. The Sector is a genuine 28mm tyre (unless you install it on a crazy narrow rim which may put it at 26mm). For those wanting a 25mm Hutchy they have a new 25mm version of the Fusion, just don't confuse it with the old 23mm version which is still widely available.

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cat1commuter | 9 years ago
0 likes

Don't know how big these measure, but a lot of 28 mm tyres actually measure 25 mm wide when on the wheel.

Also, I'd be very surprised if a Specialized Roubaix didn't have room to fit them.

This sounds like the kind of tyre that road tubeless needed from the start. I'm tempted, but then I think of the extra faff of fitting them, and the fact that I don't have suitable wheels...

I don't understand the "not losing much pressure" and then saying that they don't need to be topped up for weeks. I find that my (25 mm with butyl tubes) tyres need to be topped up every week to keep them at pressure!

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fukawitribe replied to cat1commuter | 9 years ago
0 likes
cat1commuter wrote:

Don't know how big these measure, but a lot of 28 mm tyres actually measure 25 mm wide when on the wheel.

A lot depends on the rim - deblemund has wide rims so it's unlikely these are going to measure less whereas on something narrower e.g. Mavic Aksiums, they will probably come up skinnier. My 25mm Open Paves measure almost exactly 27mm on Bontrager Race TLRs (17.5mm inner rim) and 23mm Hutchinson Fusion 3 Tubeless about 23.5mm on the same rim.

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LondonDynaslow | 9 years ago
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They don't do this is a 25mm do they? As I already have wide rims, I think a 28mm is going to be too big for a Roubaix - maybe even for a Fratello.

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fukawitribe replied to LondonDynaslow | 9 years ago
0 likes
deblemund wrote:

They don't do this is a 25mm do they? As I already have wide rims, I think a 28mm is going to be too big for a Roubaix - maybe even for a Fratello.

No, only as a 28mm currently. Still might be worth a go, or something like the Bontrager R3 25mm TLR (gets very good reviews).

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Charles_Hunter | 9 years ago
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Do you know what the actual width of these tyres is? I see from the review of the wheels they have a 17.5mm internal width.
Thanks.

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Craig P | 9 years ago
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I might have to try these. I'm sold on tubeless - been using them on my bike and my wife's bike ( since I get to fix her flats ) since April. I've been using IRC Roadlite 25c's - these are about 45 grams lighter - nice !

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Choco | 9 years ago
0 likes

Am I correct in saying you still can't source these within the UK?
On a side note the Schwalbe One 28's are also worth a look, the Schwalbe's are even easier to install, however they are more of a 'race spec' tyre and will wear quicker.

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fukawitribe replied to Choco | 9 years ago
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Choco wrote:

Am I correct in saying you still can't source these within the UK?

There's a couple of UK retailers that sell them, e.g.

http://www.acycles.co.uk/hutchinson-sector-28-tubeless-folding-tyre-700x...

or you can go to one of the usual suspects on the continent (bike24, xxcycle) which is often cheaper even with shipping, e.g.

http://www.xxcycle.com/hutchinson-sector-28-tubeless-tire-28-622,,en.php

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KiwiMike | 9 years ago
0 likes

Dang. The review I was waiting for. Oh well. The kids didn't really need to eat next month anyhow.

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truffy replied to KiwiMike | 9 years ago
0 likes
KiwiMike wrote:

Dang. The review I was waiting for. Oh well. The kids didn't really need to eat next month anyhow.

Just tell 'em Father Christmas had a bad hangover and couldn't do the deliveries. There's always next year!  4

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banzicyclist2 | 9 years ago
1 like

Schwalbe Durano plus £32 each now they really are bomb proof

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dave atkinson replied to banzicyclist2 | 9 years ago
1 like
banzicyclist2 wrote:

Schwalbe Durano plus £32 each now they really are bomb proof

don't get me wrong, the Durano Plus is an excellent tyre. but it's got nothing like the suppleness and grip of these Sectors. these are more like a race tyre in feel. they're relying on the tubeless tech to avoid stoppages for punctures, rather than just putting more things in a thorn's way.

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darrenleroy | 9 years ago
0 likes

Fewer punctures, not 'less punctures.'

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