1700km. Sydney to Hobart. Freeways, country backroads, gravel paths, and everything in between. That’s the ultimate tyre test—and the Pirelli Cinturato Velo TLR? Faultless.
We slapped a pair of 32c Cinturatos on for the Ride Toward Resilience, a brutal but beautiful tour from the Harbour to the Apple Isle. And the result? Not one puncture. Not even a suspicious hiss. No trailside tantrums. Just quiet confidence, kilometre after kilometre. These tyres didn’t just survive the journey—they thrived on it.
Designed as a high-puncture-resistance tyre that doesn’t feel like you’re towing an anchor, the Cinturato delivers that rare combo of speed and toughness we’re always chasing in a set of training hoops. It's Italian muscle with race-ready manners—and it's quickly become a staple in our rolling quiver.
Let’s dig in.
🧪 Construction & Tech
Yes, it’s tubeless ready. But the real wizardry happens under the tread. Pirelli’s Aramid breaker shrugs off flints and thorns like mozzies on a mission. Beneath that is a bead-to-bead protective layer, keeping those sidewalls sharp and upright even when the going gets gnarly. The SmartNET Silica compound sticks to the road (or gravel) like pasta sauce on a white jersey—rain or shine.
They come in everything from 24c to 35c, but we reckon 32c is the sweet spot. Just enough cushion for the bush-bashers, not too sluggish for the road warriors.
🏁 Ride Quality
Let’s be real. If you’re used to GP5000s or some other thoroughbred race tyre, these might feel a touch heavier. But stack them up against the Gatorskins or Durano DDs of the world and the Cinturatos pull ahead—faster, grippier, and waaaaay more enjoyable.
Whether it was rolling fast on freeways, diving into damp descents, or banging along washboard Tassie fire trails, these tyres stayed composed and fast. Not twitchy, not sluggish—just steady, trustworthy momentum.
Set up tubeless, they mounted easy, held air like a champ, and didn’t once burp or bead-budge across the trip. Plus, no trailside sealant splatter, which is always a good sign you’ve picked the right casing.
📈 The Verdict
The Pirelli Cinturato Velo TLR isn’t cheap. But cheap’s never been our vibe. What you’re getting here is a true endurance weapon—a tyre that laughs in the face of sharp rocks, highway grit, and sketchy shortcuts. It's the kind of kit you don’t think about because it just works—and after 1700km, that’s exactly what you want.
Training tyre? Sure. Commuter tyre? Definitely. Adventure tyre? Absolutely.
Basically, it’s the tyre you grab when you want to go far and go hard without worrying if your rubber will keep up.
🔎 Unbound Velo Review Table
| Category | Rating | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 💸 Damage to Wallet | $$$ | On the pricier end, but worth it for the performance and peace of mind. |
| 😎 Drip Factor | 😎😎😎😎 | Sleek, subtle, and tough—like an espresso in tyre form. |
| 🔮 Wizardry & Gizmos | 🔧🔧🔧🔧🔧 | SmartNET Silica, Aramid breaker, bead-to-bead protection—engineered proper. |
| 🚀 Sendability | 🔥🔥🔥🔥 | Rolls fast and sticks. Doesn’t shy away from off-road detours. |
| 🤘 Total Stoke | 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘 | One of the best all-rounders we've tested. Quiet, confident, and grippy AF. |
🛞 Spec
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Weight: 359g (700x32c)
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Sizes: 700 x 24, 26, 28, 32, 35c
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Tubeless Ready: Yep
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Recommended pressure: We ran 40psi at 68kg—perfect balance of comfort & speed.