Vittoria Goma Tire

Vittoria Goma Tire

Stated Dimensions: 29” x 2.4”

Measured Width (on 23mm internal rim):

• Knobs: 63mm
• Casing: 60mm

Casing: TNT (Tube No-Tube)

Blister’s Measured Weight: 1100 grams

MSRP: $59.95

Mounted to: Evil The Following, Vittoria Daemion wheels

Intended Use: all around knobbiness

Duration of Test: ~10 rides

Locations: Whitefish, MT; Nelson, BC

Reviewer: 5’9” 155 lbs

Intro

The Goma has been around for a while now, but in the past, it’s been sold under the Geax name. Geax was always a subsidiary of Vittoria, but everything that was sold as Geax is now just Vittoria—much of it is the same product, just re-branded.

While there are some new tires in the Vittoria lineup, the Goma remains unchanged. For proof, look no further than the tire’s sidewall; while the ink on the tire says Vittoria, the molded logo still says Geax.

Also, to clarify, I tested the “regular” Goma. Vittoria also makes the “E-Goma,” which looks more or less similar, but it’s built for use on e-bikes. Supposedly the knobs are better for handling the extra torque you get with a motor.

All confusion about the name aside, the Goma remains a knobby tire that falls into the same general category as something like a Maxxis Minion DHF or a Continental Trail King. My time with the Goma was spent mounted up to my Evil The Following via some 29” Vittoria Daemion wheels (review to come).

Options, Initial Impressions, and Setup

First things first: there’s no getting around the fact that the Goma is a pretty stout tire. In the variation I rode, with the TNT casing (TNT = Tube No-Tube), they weighed in at a hefty 1100 grams. Now, to be fair, these are a relatively wide tire, in a 29” diameter, with Vittoria’s burliest casing (not counting their DH tires). So in that regard, it’s on par with some other similarly burly tires, like those with WTB’s “tough” casing.

The Goma also comes in a much lighter single-ply casing, which I’m sure gives up a lot of the TNT’s burliness but saves the better part of 200 g. It also comes in a wire bead version, which gains some weight but saves the user some cash.

In all casing variations, the Goma is available in 2.25” and 2.4” widths, and all three wheel sizes—yes, including 26”.

I mounted the Gomas up with an average-sized splash of my normal home-brew sealant (a slight variation on Wade’s Secret Sauce). On the Daemion rims (23mm internal width), the Gomas are fairly average in terms of tightness while mounting, and I couldn’t quite get them to seat with my mediocre floor pump. But a quick shot from the compressor and they seated nicely, and they’ve been very good about holding air since.

I rode the Goma’s at my normal pressure for a tubeless setup, which is about 28 psi in the rear and 26 psi in the front.

Tire Shape and Knobs

The Gomas measure 63 mm (2.48”) at their widest point, which puts them at the wide end of the spectrum for a 2.4” tire. On 23 mm internal width rims, they have a decidedly rounded profile. While mounting them on a wider rim would help square them off a bit, they’re still a more rounded tire than, for example, a Maxxis Minion DHF.

The knobs themselves are configured in a fairly traditional channeled pattern. The center knobs are more “blocky” and less “paddle-y,” so in that regard, they resemble something like a Maxxis Minion DHF or a Specialized Butcher. Transitional knobs between the center and side are thankfully absent, allowing the side knobs to sink into the dirt with full force and pressure.

Every knob is siped, at least to some extent, and all of the sipes are positioned to primarily help out with cornering traction (as opposed to purely lateral sipes that’ll do more for braking and climbing).

Every other side knob is angled in a bit, which should help the tire stay a bit more composed while on the brakes and leaned over.

NEXT: The Ride, Durability, Etc.