The Rubino Pro G+ tires uphold the previous model's reputation of durability, still showing plenty of life after 700 miles.

The Rubino Pro G+ tires uphold the previous model's reputation of durability, still showing plenty of life after 700 miles (click to enlarge).​

Editor's Note: This article is courtesy of the team at Art's Cyclery. The original post can be found here.

Lowdown: Vittoria Rubino Pro G+ Tire

It's always a pleasant surprise to see this level of performance and durability in a training tire, especially at this price point. That's why if you like to get bang for your buck, then Vittoria's Rubino Pro G+ road tire is worth a look. Find out more in this Art's Cyclery pro review.


Pluses

Minuses
  • Excellent performance
  • Rolling resistance
  • Low cost compared to similar performers
  • Long tread life

Review: Vittoria Rubino Pro G+ Tire

Previous iterations of the Vittoria Rubino were not impressive in terms of puncture protection or cut resistance. However, the claimed performance boost of Vittoria's new Graphene compound necessitated a clean slate for the G+ Rubino. That' because while this tire may still have the Rubino name, the Pro G+ is completely different. Here's a feature-by-feature ratings breakdown with a 1-out-of-10 score for each.

Vittoria's new Graphene compound necessitated a clean slate for the G+ Rubino.

Vittoria's new Graphene compound necessitated a clean slate for the G+ Rubino (click to enlarge).​

Rolling Resistance: 5

Bad news first: The only real downside to these tires is their rolling resistance. While we don't have fancy data to back up this claim, they simply don't feel particularly fast. With a middle-of-the-road 248 grams weight, it seems that tread pattern is mostly to blame.

Comfort: 7

When it comes to comfort, the Rubino Pro G+ does not deviate from Vittoria's top-notch standard. The tire rolled exceptionally smoothly over dirt, cracked roads, potholes, and cattle guards. There are only one or two other tires that feel as good as the Rubino Pro G+ at this price point.

Tread Life: 8

The previous Rubino tires had a tread-life that seemed to last forever, even when suffering through numerous cuts and punctures during their lifespan. Our test pair of Rubino Pro G+ tires uphold the previous model's reputation of durability, still showing plenty of life after 700 miles of all-road riding, including some time on a trainer and rollers.

The only real downside to these tires is their rolling resistance. While we don't have fancy data to back up this claim, they simply don't feel particularly fast.

The only real downside to these tires is their rolling resistance. While we don't have fancy data to back up this claim, they simply don't feel particularly fast (click to enlarge).​

Puncture Protection: 8

The new Rubino Pro G+'s puncture protection and cut resistance is far better than older versions of the same tire. We experienced no flats during testing, and can only find a couple micro-cuts across both tires. This type of durability is typically reserved for super heavy-duty tires like Gatorskins or Armadillos, while a previous pair of Schwalbe One tires were showing substantial cuts by this mileage.

Grip: 9

Though rolling resistance is on the high side, the handoff is incredible traction. We were recently lucky enough (or unlucky enough, depending on one's outlook) to test these tires in the rain. And while not experts in rain traction (usually we don't ride when it rains), these tires did not disappoint on the wet roads. Nothing is better than a tire that instills confidence, especially when it comes to fun, twisty roads, or those slick wet white strips that we are all wary of.

Value: 10

For the money, this is one of the best tires that we've ridden, especially for training. It's a beautiful thing to find a tire that can perform well and not break the bank. The Rubino Pro G+ gets the job done very well, while leaving you with plenty of change for necessities like flat repair and nutrition.

Overall: 7.7

If you want top-tier versatility for the lowest amount of money, then you should give the new Rubino Pro G+ a chance. For around $50 it's one of the best all around tires we've ridden, performing a lot like our favorite all-rounder, the Continental Grand Prix 4000 S. You'd be hard pressed to find a smoother and more reliable ride at this price point.

Available in 23c, 25c, and 28c, all with 150tpi. Learn more at www.artscyclery.com.