Zipp Tangente Speed R28

Zipp has added to its Tangente tyre range with a wide, race-ready clincher model, the Speed R28. With a high thread per inch (tpi) count and a supple rubber compound, the R28 offers a near-tubular-like ride in terms of both performance and comfort.

The Speed R28s have a 220tpi nylon, so even at their recommended pressure (via Zipp's own website) of 85psi at the front and 95psi rear for my weight, they offer a very supple ride indeed. You can barely feel washboard effect tarmac and small potholes as the large volume 28mm width just absorbs every vibration.

> Find your nearest dealer here

> Buy these online here

They're unbelievably grippy as well, the sticky rubber compound holding onto the road surface at stupid speeds and lean angles. And even if you do manage to break traction it's progressive: they start to slide very gently, which gives you chance to change what you are doing to bring things back under control. I've had some tyres just go grip, grip, grip, nothing – and you're wiped out on the tarmac before you even know what's happened.

That grip isn't just reserved for the dry either – the Speed R28s will hold on tight in the wet as well, giving you confidence in the bends, especially when the surface is off-camber. The predominantly slick surface has water-siping on the shoulders, although as most people know, you aren't going to aquaplane on such a small surface area so it's kind of redundant.

I wouldn't say I'd confidently use them on wet days regularly as they have no puncture resistance layer at all – for that you'd need their training tyre cousin, the Course R28.

It's at speed, though, where the Speed R28s really excel. They're pretty light at 224g – 30g per tyre lighter than the 28mm Schwalbe Ones they replaced on my Mason – and it's certainly noticeable. Zipp claims a rolling resistance of 21.97 watts at 40kph when used with a butyl inner tube. Acceleration is improved, and the way they just fly over rough surfaces means they definitely feel quicker than the Schwalbes on an all-round basis, though it's not by a big margin. You'll barely notice it on your Strava data!

While on the subject of the Schwalbe Ones, it's worth mentioning that they are pretty much the benchmark large volume tyre at the moment, judging by our various reviews, so let's compare the R28 Speed directly.

> Check out our guide to the road cycling tyres and 13 of the best here

The Zipps are marginally quicker, especially under acceleration thanks to that 30g saving in weight. That comes at a cost, though, as it's achieved by omitting any form of puncture resistance, so they don't have the all-weather reliability of the Ones.

Grip goes to the Zipps, though only marginally, but then the Schwalbes are just under a tenner cheaper – £44.99 compared with the Zipps' £52. We'll call it a draw then.

So, in conclusion, if you want to run super-quick, comfortable tyres for the summer, the Zipps are an awesome choice, and will make you feel like you are absolutely flying. You need to be mindful of that lack of puncture protection, though, which makes them less of an all-rounder.

Verdict

Awesome large volume race tyres, but they could be a little too specific for day-to-day use