Words Lester Perry
Images Cameron Mackenzie
RRP Girona RSL GR $139 | Betasso RSL GX $139
Distributor Trek New Zealand
Bontrager Girona RSL GR 700×42
A 220tpi casing forms the foundation for this speed-focused tyre; a near-slick centre ridge formed from firm rubber compound aids with overall speed and wear resistance. Low-profile side knobs take care of cornering traction, and their medium compound rubber helps them hook up regardless of their small size.
A bead-to-bead nylon layer beneath the tread aids puncture protection although, thanks to the tight spacing between side knobs and the firm central strip, debris would either have to weasel its way between the knobs or puncture right through the tread.
Mounting the Gironas was quick and easy: a blast with my charger pump, a loud “snap”, and they beaded up perfectly on my Reserve wheels; no need to excessively over-inflate to get them beaded.
As expected, these tyres spin up to speed quickly and roll well on smoother road, dirt or gravel surfaces. On the road, it’s noticeable the Gironas don’t have the pure raw speed of some tyres with the same “race” aspirations. The difference is not as evident on unpaved surfaces, although faster options for super smooth gravel exist. The Gironas have the bonus of being one tyre that performs well across almost all scenarios, something that can’t be said of many other top-end race tyres.
The 220TPI casing is noticeably supple, and smoother across gravel surfaces compared to many lower TPI options, however, their 42mm width (measured) limits comfort in more chunky scenarios. That’s where the Betasso (below) comes into play. Trek states on the sidewall that these tyres aren’t compatible with hookless rims, so there are no questions there.
Even though these tyres are pegged for “dry, hardpacked gravel”, there’s a surprising level of traction across all surfaces and, even in the damp, they’re decent. Some gravel tyres feel a bit uneasy on the road, causing hesitation on tight, fast turns. With its tightly spaced tread, the Girona transitions from upright to pitched over into a turn really comfortably, and I haven’t experienced any scary moments.
For most of the riding around my location (and I’d imagine much of NZ), the Gironas are the ideal tyre – a jack of all trades. At 42mm wide, they’re as small as I’d go for proper gravel use, yet small enough not to feel too heavy or sluggish on the road. Given that I’m riding for 40 minutes on the road to access any decent gravel, I’m after a tyre that will perform almost as well on the road as the gravel, and the Gironas tick that box for me.
Betasso RSL GX TLR 700×45
With a 160tpi casing at the heart of it, the Betasso RSL GX is designed for rough, loose terrain. Betasso is a capable all-rounder with a slant toward the gnarlier end of the gravel scale.
Like the Girona, the Betasso has a bead-to-bead layer of puncture protection but also gets an additional belt beneath the tread. This, combined with their mid- level TPI (160), helps to bolster puncture protection, something required due to their wider-spaced tread pattern compared to the Gironas. Like the Gironas, the Betassos snapped into place easily on my wheels, and hookless rim users need not apply – like the Girona.
Betasso features a drastically different tread pattern than the Girona, one that focuses on traction more than speed. As with the Girona, the middle section has a firm rubber and the shoulders have a medium compound. Centre knobs are spaced close enough to minimise their effect on rolling resistance but with enough room between them to allow the knob’s edges to hook up and press into softer surfaces. I’ve found the traction adequate across all scenarios. Although they won’t be winning any awards for grip on wet clay, they’ll handle most scenarios they’re thrown at, particularly once pressures are dialled in nice and low.
The claimed 45mm width proved accurate when measured with my verniers. The larger volume, compared to a 42mm, offers much more cushioning and comfort and, during rides over four hours, even on ‘smooth’ gravel, I’m positive 45mm is more efficient. The larger volume, at low pressure, lets the tyre conform to the surface and absorb more bumps that would otherwise be transmitted to the rider, reducing fatigue over long days in the saddle. The increase in rolling resistance between Girona and Betasso is likely due to constructions, tread size, and shape, rather than volume or weight and, overall, rendered irrelevant on long rides for most people due to the increase in comfort and efficiency.
I really like the Betasso as an all-rounder, and I’m confident wherever I end up on my bike, these tyres will be up to the task. The volume, combined with the tread pattern, provides confidence and stability in spades when descending on broken surfaces. Again, over long days, this is welcomed.
As mentioned, the volume just offers more comfort than the Girona’s 42mm, and with most bikes these days allowing for a 45mm tyre (or larger) I’m aiming for the largest tyre a frame will accept. For those with a more progressive frame, the Betasso is available in up to a 50mm casing or a 42mm for those who’s frames are limited in clearance.
Wrapping up
As you see, these are two distinctly different tyres, with a number of similarities. If I were solely riding off-road, the Betasso would be a no brainer but, as I’m riding across a mix of road and gravel, the Girona suits me better with its higher rolling speed and snappier handling on-road thanks to its smaller volume. I just wish it was available in a 45mm – then the Betasso would really have unlimited uses around my neighbourhood.
