Pirelli Cinturato M Tires: At The Finish – by Guitar Ted
Pirelli’s Cinturato gravel range, which includes the “M” model we are testing here, is a pretty comprehensive range that, honestly, is flying under the radar of many gravel riders. After having tested two tires in this range, the smoother “H” and the “M” here, I have a difficult time believing that these tires won’t start to get more riders talking.
I’ve said that I am pretty happy with these tires in my mid-term update on this review and in closing I can say that this has not changed at all. I did spend a lot more time since that mid-term report on the 45mm tire which has been just as nice but with even more stability than the 40mm version. That has been appreciated whenever I’ve ridden after the county maintainers have been out spreading more fresh crushed rock out on the roadways.
So, I have changed my mind as to which tire I would choose between the two widths of the Cinturato M’s. Now, after experiencing the stability and damping of this tire over our looser crushed rock, I’m moving up to the 45mm width. The 40mm version, (really a 42mm tire), is what I’d choose for tamer gravel, or for an event where I’m willing to sacrifice comfort and a bit of that stability for a lighter weight tire.
Either way, the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M is a tire that holds air just as well as anything I’ve tried and isn’t a stiff, dead riding tire. There isn’t much to nitpick here, but maybe you’d want to see a smoother, faster Cinturato for harder surfaces that was also a tad lighter weight. Well, take a look at the Cinturato Gravel RC then. Like I mentioned, the range of Cinturato Gravel tires covers every need.
At The Finish: Again, you will be hard pressed to find a better performing tire in terms of ride feel, durability, and ease of living with than you can from within Pirelli’s Cinturato Gravel range of tires. The “M” is a great all-around choice which will lend some traction in looser terrain, stability over crushed rock, and a damped feel which is quite nice, all with puncture protection.
This tire has become one of my favorites and I will be keeping it in the rotation for the foreseeable future. It has very few drawbacks for me. Yes, it might be a bit slower than a smoother treaded tire, and you can certainly find a lighter tire, but at the sacrifice of cut resistance? No thank you. We have enough broken glass bits around here on my way out to ride on the gravel that I cannot afford to rely on a tire that isn’t up to the task.
Do yourself a favor and check out Pirelli’s Cinturato Gravel range. The tires are criminally under the radar and should be on more bikes than they are now.
Note: Riding Gravel was sent these Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M tires for test and review. We are not being paid, nor bribed for this review and we always strive to give our honest thoughts and opinions throughout.