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With the Superpasso Pro, Vredestein is clearly targeting the high-performance road tire segment. We tested the 28-mm Tube Type version over several thousand kilometers. While its performance is reminiscent of a certain GP5000, it was its durability in particular that truly surprised us.
By Guillaume Judas – Photos: Sébastien Argentin
There are tires that you immediately appreciate for their performance or comfort, and others that stand out as the kilometers pile up. The Vredestein Superpasso Pro Tube Type belongs to both the first and second categories. On paper, it’s clearly a performance-oriented tire, designed to offer low rolling resistance, grip, and good protection against punctures. Vredestein offers it in 25, 28, and 32 mm sizes, in both tube-type and Tubeless Ready versions, as we tested a year ago.
But after 5,000 to 6,000 km on our pair of 28 mm tires, it’s not so much their sporty character that impresses us as their extraordinary durability.
Compared to the Continental GP5000
Visually, the Superpasso Pro will feel familiar to those accustomed to high-end tires. The tread pattern and overall profile are quite reminiscent of a Continental GP5000. Once mounted on the rim, the resemblance is even quite obvious. The difference becomes more apparent to the touch and, above all, on the road. The Vredestein feels like it has a slightly softer crown and a more flexible structure. This sensation is immediately noticeable when you put the tire under load, especially during acceleration.
Where a GP 5000 can feel very direct, almost harsh, the SuperPasso Pro feels a bit more forgiving. It follows the bike’s movements more closely and better absorbs minor road irregularities. That doesn’t mean it’s soft or sluggish. On the contrary, when properly inflated, it retains very dynamic handling.
=> BUY THE VREDESTEIN SUPERPASSO PRO FOR €50.99
238 g in 28 mm
Our test unit weighed in at 238 g in the 28-622 size. This is a very reasonable weight for a tire designed for sport use, especially since the Superpasso Pro never feels like it’s dragging a particularly heavy casing. The Tube Type version features a flexible 120 TPI casing and includes protection beneath the tread designed to reduce the risk of punctures. Vredestein’s TriComp technology combines several rubber compounds to strike a balance between grip, efficiency, and durability. On the units we received for testing, this construction seems to work particularly well.
A fairly comfortable tire
The first impression of the SuperPasso Pro is positive. At 28 mm, the available volume obviously allows for riding at a reasonable pressure, but the tire’s inherent flexibility also contributes to its comfort. The SuperPasso Pro absorbs small bumps well and doesn’t give that sensation sometimes felt with certain very race-oriented tires, which seem to sit on the road rather than make contact with it.
This is probably one of its main differences compared to the GP5000: the Vredestein feels slightly more supple and comfortable, without losing its sporty character. On gravelly or uneven roads, this quality becomes particularly noticeable.
Dynamic handling, provided you find the right pressure
The Superpasso Pro isn’t a tire that can be judged solely on its suppleness. Once the pressure is set correctly, it retains excellent responsiveness. Acceleration is crisp, the bike responds quickly to changes in pace, and the tire never feels like it’s squishing under acceleration.
However, you need to find the right tire pressure. If overinflated, you lose some of what makes it appealing, and the handling becomes stiffer. At the correct pressure, on the other hand, the balance between comfort and responsiveness is particularly well-achieved. This is probably the best way to sum up its character: a sporty tire, but less extreme than a pure racing tire.
Near-Perfect Performance
Let’s be clear: if your sole goal is to achieve maximum performance, the Superpasso Pro doesn’t quite measure up to a GP5000 in our view. The difference, however, is subtle and difficult to quantify without laboratory testing. On the road, this mainly translates to a slightly less responsive feel during acceleration. On the other hand, the Vredestein makes up for this with superior flexibility and comfort, which make the overall ride particularly pleasant.
For a rider who logs a lot of miles, this trade-off seems very reasonable to us. You might be giving up a tiny bit of the Continental’s “racing” character, but you gain in versatility and comfort.
Excellent durability
And then there’s durability. This is where the Superpasso Pro really impresses. After 6,000 km, wear on the pair is extremely minimal. The front tire even looks almost brand-new. It’s hard to tell how many kilometers it’s covered.
On the rear tire, which is naturally under more stress, the wear is slightly more visible. Nevertheless, it remains very minimal given the mileage. There’s only a very slight flattening, but nothing comparable to what you might see on some high-performance tires after such a distance. It’s honestly surprising. A tire in this category that can be used for 5,000 or 6,000 km without feeling like it’s reached the end of its life offers a considerable advantage for road racers or recreational cyclists who ride a lot.
The tread also withstands road wear very well. After several thousand kilometers, we found very few cuts on either tire. A few small marks are obviously visible, but nothing that would suggest the rubber is particularly fragile. This durability certainly contributes to the impression of exceptional longevity. And most importantly, it’s noteworthy because it doesn’t seem to have come at the expense of handling. The Superpasso Pro remains flexible and responsive enough that it doesn’t feel like a training tire designed primarily for longevity.
Finally, it’s worth noting that we experienced no flats during this test, which began in March—whether using a butyl inner tube or a TPU inner tube to save even more weight.
And in the rain?
Our overall assessment of its performance is very positive. The Superpasso Pro remains predictable and reassuring, with a level of grip consistent with its sporty design. Vredestein’s TriComp technology is specifically designed to combine grip and durability, even on wet surfaces.
However, we’ll remain cautious on this point: road conditions, temperature, road surface, and especially tire pressure have a significant impact on a tire’s handling. Above all, it’s important to note that the Superpasso Pro has no specific flaws that would call into question its use for sporty driving on the road.
Impressive durability
Ultimately, a comparison with the Continental GP5000 is pretty much inevitable. The Vredestein Superpasso Pro shares that same versatile and sporty character, with excellent performance and a genuine ability to ride fast. But its character is slightly different. It’s a bit more supple, a bit more comfortable, and perhaps just a tad less responsive during accelerations. But this slight difference in performance is more than offset by its ability to eat up the miles.
The Superpasso Pro Tube Type probably isn’t the tire that will win every performance comparison. But that isn’t necessarily what we expect from it. It offers an excellent balance between performance, comfort, responsiveness, protection, and durability. Its handling is quite similar to that of the market leader, with a more supple feel and slightly better comfort.
But above all, after 6,000 km, its condition has us genuinely impressed. There are very few cuts, and the tread shows surprisingly little wear. For a performance tire, this lifespan is simply remarkable. The Superpasso Pro Tube Type may not be the most extreme in its class, but its balance is outstanding.
The VREDESTEIN SUPERPASSO PRO TUBE TYPE tires at a glance…Pros: exceptional longevity, appreciable comfort in the 28 mm size, supple and pleasant casing, dynamic handling at the right pressure, very good performance/comfort balance, 238 g measured in 28 mm Rubber compound with TriComp technology – Casing: 120 TPI – Bead wires: flexible – Colors: black or brown sidewalls – Sizes: 700×25, 28, 30, 32 – Weight: 238 g in 700×28 – Price: €74.95 – Contact: vredestein.fr, alternativsport.com |
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