ULTRADYNAMICO MARS Review
Today, we're talking about the first tire I had the opportunity to test recently: the magical Ultradynamico Mars in the Robusto casing. You can read below about how the tire performed during the fall and in winter :)
As always, please note that English is not my native language. There may be some grammatical errors here and there. Please excuse this, as I am working to improve my skills.
Technical specifications:
Price: €84 (as of December 20, 2022, Bike-Components)
Weight: 668g (in the Robusto casing)
Available in 27.5 and 29-inch sizes, each with a width of 2.3 inches
On a rim with an inner width of 30mm the outer width of the tire measure to be 58mm
These tires are manufactured in Japan by Panaracer for Ultradynamico.
Here, where the tire thrives the most, in the forest and in the dirt
Although the terrain doesn't really matter, the tire rolls and rolls and rolls, all while being very comfortable.
So, listen up, folks! I've got some tire talk coming your way, and it all starts with the one that's got me intrigued: the Ultradynamico Mars. If you haven't stumbled upon this brand yet, you're in for a treat. Go check out their Instagram page (Ultradynamico IG) and prepare to have your eyes delighted. These tires are making waves on custom builds everywhere, and it's easy to see why. They're a sight for sore eyes!
Now, here's the scoop: Ultradynamico was born from the genius minds of Pat and Ron, or as they're lovingly known, "Ultraromance" and "Ultratradition." These guys are all about practicality and jaw-dropping design when it comes to gravel tires. Seriously, take a peek at Ron's Instagram or YouTube page (Ultraromance YT), and you'll feel the passion radiating from every post.
Some might call Ultradynamico and Ultraromance hipster darlings, but I see them differently. I mean, who needs carbon wheels and fancy gadgets when you can bring your dad's old mountain bike back to life? It's all about the adventure, my friends! Upgrade those dusty relics from the garage, gather your buddies, and hit the trails. Trust me, the experience is way more exhilarating than stressing over the newest groupsets and integrated cable routing options.
And hey, let's not forget our planet's well-being while we're at it. Repurposing old components isn't just a cool idea; it's an eco-friendly move that Mother Earth would high-five us for. So, let's do our part and ride on!
But wait, I got carried away with my preaching. Let's dive back into the juicy tire details, shall we? Hold on tight, because there's a world of Ultradynamico wonders waiting for you
Can we take a moment to appreciate the unsung heroes of our gravel bikes? Yep, you guessed it—tires! They have the power to take our riding experience to new heights. So, here's the scoop: After my summer getaway, I knew it was time to gear up for the fall and winter seasons. And boy, did these tires come through!
Now, let's talk installation. I gotta say, these tires were surprisingly cooperative. No tire levers required, no fingers melting away (unlike those tricky Rene Herse tires, you know what I mean). It was a smooth operation, my friends. And when I pumped them up to a confident 5 bar, using my trusty air reservoir pump, they sat snugly in place without any fuss.
Sure, without sealant, they weren't hermetically sealed, but hey, that's no reason to lose sleep. I have a secret weapon up my sleeve—Orange Seal! That stuff works wonders for tubeless tires. It's like a superhero cape for your tires, sealing up any potential issues. And you know what? These tires held their ground like champs. Not a noticeable loss of air pressure during my 24-hour indoor observation.
The maiden voyage into the enchanted forest was an absolute hoot. The grip of the tires is truly excellent and immediately noticeable when riding on gravel or forest terrain. The tread pattern is relatively aggressive and clearly designed for off-road use, but it has a continuous center tread. This is important because otherwise, the noise on asphalt would drive you absolutely crazy (like a swarm of bees on the road). It also performs wonderfully in the snow. I went on a longer ride with about 1.3-1.5 bar of pressure and had great traction even on completely snow-covered trails.
Okay, buckle up, because I'm about to tell you something that will rock your tire world. Are you ready? Good. So, I tried out these tires with the fanciest names I've ever heard: Race, JFF (Just for fun), and Robusto. And let me tell you, they lived up to their epic monikers.
Now, I know what you're thinking. "But wait, won't a tire that's tough as nails sacrifice comfort and speed?" Well, that's what I thought too. But I was wrong, my friends. Wrong! Even at around 2 bar, these tires were smoother than a jazz saxophonist on a romantic date. They made my old Rene Herse Antelope Hill 55mm tires look like medieval torture devices.
And get this, the JFF and Race casings are supposed to be even more comfortable and faster. It's like they're made out of unicorn fur or something. I don't know how they do it, but I'm not complaining. I'm already planning to switch to the JFF casing once I wear out the Mars Robusto. It's like changing your car's engine to one that runs on laughter and happiness. It's just...magical!
The rolling resistance also seems perfectly acceptable subjectively for such a large and aggressive-profiled tire. I rode several of my standard routes and was never significantly slower than before with slick tires.
This tire is a real trooper! It has conquered over 1000km of rain, mud, gravel, snow, and asphalt without a hint of wear. Punctures? Zero. And the tire pressure? Rock steady. It's like having a trusty companion that never lets you down. Ready to take on any road with unwavering resilience!
POSITIVE
The comfort is really impressive, even in the Robusto variant.
The off-road grip is excellent; the side knobs provide secure traction in every turn.
The tire still rolls well on asphalt despite its aggressive tread.
After 1000km, there are no signs of wear, and I haven't experienced any punctures.
NEUTRAL
The center treads are continuous, but the tire emits a low humming noise on asphalt, which is tolerable.
The size of 2.3 inches may be too large for most gravel bikes currently, but if it fits, it's a great choice.
NEGATIVE
The clear downside is the price. It costs around €160 for a set, which is not cheap.
CONCLUSION
The Ultradynamico Mars tire is an absolute winner! It performs like a superstar, especially when you're tearing it up off-road. Sure, there's a little hum on the asphalt, but who cares when you're riding in style and comfort?
Now, let's talk about the price. It's not exactly pocket change, but let me tell you, I'd happily fork over some extra dough for these babies. Good tires are worth the investment, and supporting a brand like Ultradynamico feels like joining a cool club.
And here's the cherry on top: I'm crossing my fingers for more tire models from these guys. I mean, why stop at Mars when we can conquer the entire tire universe? Let's hope they'll roll out some new flavors soon!
Trust me, once you hop on the Ultradynamico train, there's no turning back. It's like finding the perfect partner in crime for your biking adventures. So, buckle up, my friend, and get ready for a ride that'll make you go, "Whee!"
