On my Tarmac SL8 that's running SRAM AXS I am rocking the Zipp SL 80 Race bars at 36cm, which make sense keeping it all in house and having the ability to easily run BLIP shifters. I like the recessed routing on the SL 80 Race because the Tarmac stem I am running does not support in route routing, however on my Supersix Evo Hi-Mod running Shiamno Di2 with the Conceal stem I am running the ENVE SES Aero In Route bars 35/40 since they can be run semi integrated or fully internal. Both bars weigh about the same 250g, both have flared bottoms and narrow tops, but I found the ENVE Aero bars to have much more of a flat razer like shape than the Zipp's. Both bars are comfortable on the tops and hoods and both have similar reaches 79mm vs 80mm. The biggest differences would be the ENVE bar is super stiff, while I found the Zipp to offer much more compliance. The integration on the ENVE even when run semi integrated and not through the stem is much cleaner than the Zipp's that rely on a really tidy tape job. I am not really a fan of the integrated bar end plugs, but I guess they are more aero, but yet again you are stuck with this type of plus unless you cut the bar ends. I guess the killer feature for some people will be the fact that you can add ENVE's Aero clip on extensions to these bars, making them perfect for time trials or triathlons. Pair the ENVE Aero pairs with ENVE's own Aero In Route stems and you have the cleanest two piece aero setup out there, granted my Supersix Evo does not support them stem. Price wise typical ENVE top of the market pricing and in contrast the Zipp SL 80 Race is anywhere from $25-$60 cheaper before you factor in an sales or coupons. Both bars are great but in my opinion I still run the Zipp's if you were running SRAM AXS with a non in route stem and I run the ENVE if you were running Shimano and or running an ENVE In Route Stem. BTW the aero benefits of running a very narrow two piece handlebar integrated or semi integrated at the tops is much more aero than running a larger one piece cockpit integrated, plus it allows you to be adjust fit so much easier, it's cheaper in initial purchase and replacement cost.
I've had a couple different iteration of Pirelli tires - some XC MTB tires that I loved, and another set of Cinturatos, but these were solidly meh. When they arrived, they felt somewhat heavy and thick compared to my usual Pirellis, but they set up easily on my not-officially-tubeless rims and looked decent.
Riding them, I found I had no flat issues, and they rode OK - good traction in wet and dry, varied conditions from pavement to singletrack, but they didn't feel as plush or resilient as other Cinturato tires I've owned. I put it down to being a different bike and a little down sizing from what I was used to, and rode them for a few hundred miles, so they obviously weren't that bad.
Then, after a big trip (Italy) I was looking to upsize my tires, and figured if I had 700x45, 700x50 should be an easy fit given the space I had - so I ordered and installed the bigger tires only to find they were MUCH bigger on the same rims and didn't actually fit for safe riding. Perplexed, I decided to measure them out and found that the Adventure tires, marked as 700x45, actually were 700x40 when I measured. 40 vs 45 is kinda big. The new Cinturato's I got, the 700x50's, measured at 51, so it was a total difference of 11mm width and, of course, a taller tire, too.
So, that definitely explains the ride quality - I was expecting a 45mm width ride, but on 40mm tires, so yeah, it'll feel a bit rough. They did great as 40's for sure, but I expected 45's. If they were true to size, I'd likely still have them. rather than sizing up.
After using these tires on my gravel bike for several months now, I'm updating my initial review. They have worn well for me and the traction has been fine on gravel. Rolling resistance is minimal on pavement. But...in combination with DT Swiss or Easton rims the bead is just about impossible to get off the tire. You would not want to have to change these out on a ride. Even in my garage, using the block of wood technique, these tires take 20 minutes to get off a rim because the bead is seated so tight. I'm using them with tubes. Even if you can get one side unseated, getting the other one off takes just as much time. Maybe it's just the combination of my rim with this tire's bead, but I have never, ever struggled with another tire like this.
Makes a somewhat annoying task very easy.
Proper way to use it:
' Install the tire with the valve core out. Seat the tire bead with NO sealant, core still out.
' Remove the plunger and thread the injector on.
' With the valve stem pointing up, the hose pointing down, fill up and then inject. Do not try to fill by sucking up sealant, it just makes a mess.
' Unthread, install valve, and fill up with air.
' Rinse the injector out with warm water and leave it disassembled to dry.
I have used the same injector for 5 years and it has worked great. Also a great tool for when you need to add a little sealant as well.
