The Vittoria Barzo tyre with the brand’s XC Trail casing is designed for all conditions riding and mixed-terrain and it has been excellent on softer surfaces, too. The XC Trail casing has proved to be strong and durable but does hamper trail feedback. If there is one downside, it’s grip on wet rocks but, overall, it’s one of the top contenders in the best mountain bike tyre space.
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The Barzo has one of the more open and deeper tread styles within the Vittoria range of MTB cross-country and down-country. It is available in different versions, including the XC-Race version, which features a 120tpi nylon casing, and lower-priced versions including the Adventure with 60tpi casing and the basic XC with a 26tpicasing.
The XC-Trail version features the same 120tpi construction as the XC-Race with an additional protective sidewall layer.
Vittoria Barzo XC Trail TLR tyre – Technical details
A wide range of sizes is available, including 26-, 27.5- and 29-inch with 2.1in, 2.25in and 2.35in widths in addition the two larger diameters also have a 2.6in width.
The 29×2.35in (pictured here) has a quoted weight of 745g, with our pair on test weighing 754g and 770g. The only colour option is Anthracite, used throughout the Vittoria range of tyres to donate the XC-Trail varieties.
Fitting was very straightforward with the tyres fitting onto several different wheelsets without needing tyre levers and inflated with a track pump. The tyre inflated below the quoted size to 2.23in on a narrower rim with a 23mm internal diameter. When fitting to a wider rim with 30mm ID, the measurement was still under the quoted (2.35in) size, measuring 2.29in.
Vittoria Barzo XC Trail TLR tyre – Performance
I used a pair of Barzo tyres on the bike throughout winter, spring and early summer, with well over 1,000km on all surfaces. The initial impression is how fast they roll given the design and open tread design and even on the longest 100km ride they remained smooth and never felt draggy.
Traction is impressive on softer surfaces, with reliable grip and traction through mud on more loamy trails, grass and dirt. One area where they don’t excel is the grip on wet rocks and stone, including typical trail centres. The front tyre tends to slide out in the corners and, while it is fairly predictable, the level of grip (even at lower pressures) can’t match some similar tyres such as the recently tested Pirelli Scorpion XC S.
The XC-Trail carcass has proven to be effective with no issues or punctures at all but this does have a noticeable effect on the feel compared to the XC-Race carcass version on the Mezcal, which felt more supple.
For a period, I have the Barzo in combination with a Mezcal as a rear and this has proven to be superb for a wide range of conditions with the Barzo just edging the Mezcal for cornering grip on softer trails.
Vittoria Barzo XC Trail TLR tyre – Verdict
The Vittoria Barzo XC-Trail costs £60. This is the same price as the XC-Race version and the Pirelli Scorpion XC S, which has a better grip on wet rocks and trail centre surfaces. The Pirelli can’t match the speed and the Barzo nudges ahead on other softer ground, too. The pricing is similar to other brands with similar tyres within a few pounds, including Schwalbe with the Rocket Ron Super Race and Wicked Will for £63, and the Michelin Force XC2 at £58.
The Barzo has become a trusted tyre for riders of all disciplines and is often used at bikepacking events where the all-around ability and strong puncture resistance are seen as important traits. It works well on most surfaces, with impressive speed considering the depth of the tread.
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Product purpose:
The reinforced XC racing tire for all conditions + mixed terrain
The surest way to win a race is get the hole shot and maintain a gap to the finish. The surest way to DNF is to cut the hole shot too close and shred a side wall. The reinforced Barzo XC Trail helps achieve the former and alleviate the latter, grinding watts into the trail and incorporating additional protection on the sidewall.
The alternating center knobs roll fast, and moto-style shoulder knobs bite hard while cornering. Siping throughout increases grip under lateral loads, helping to maintain speed across terrain of all types, and spacious knob placement cleans muck and loamy soil.
The Barzo XC Trail blends four Graphene-infused compounds to minimize rolling resistance on the center strip and maximize confident grip on the shoulders. The 120-TPI nylon XC Trail TLR casing is durable and supple, and the abrasion-resistant structure is reinforced with additional sidewall protection.
Build extra:
Graphene 4C Compound:
Rubber, infused with Graphene in a graduated schedule of four compounds across the rolling strip and shoulders. Two stabilizing base compounds boost puncture resistance and create a foundation for climbing, braking, and cornering loads. The trail-side compounds reduce rolling resistance, boost traction, and get tacky on switchbacks and off-camber sections, wet or dry.
XC-Trail TLR Reinforced 120-TPI Casing
A reinforced racing casing, the XC-Race TLR combines a durable, supple 120-TPI nylon construction with additional protection on the sidewalls. Responsiveness, muted chatter, and supple trail feel with a little extra anti-puncture insurance – when XC gets gnarly, the XC-Trail TLR goes off.
Size ETRTO Color Weight
26×2.1 52-559 Anthracite 650 g
26×2.25 55-559 Anthracite 660 g
27.5×2.1 52-584 Anthracite 670 g
27.5×2.25 55-584 Anthracite 680 g
27.5×2.35 57-584 Anthracite 700 g
27.5×2.6 65-584 Anthracite 805 g
29×2.1 52-622 Anthracite 650 g
29×2.25 55-622 Anthracite 680 g
29×2.35 57-622 Anthracite 745 g
29×2.6 65-622 Anthracite 820 g
Product construction
Product performance
Product performance extra:
Product durability
Product weight
Product comfort
product value
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