Vittoria Goma Tire

Noah Bodman reviews the Vittoria Goma Tire for Blister Gear Review.
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.

Noah Bodman reviews the Vittoria Goma Tire for Blister Gear Review.
Noah Bodman on the Vittoria Goma Tire.

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).

Noah Bodman reviews the Vittoria Goma Tire for Blister Gear Review.
Vittoria Goma tread pattern

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.

2 comments on “Vittoria Goma Tire”

  1. Interesting review. Vittoria/Geax has always had a problem with overdoing the TNT casing, which I think is an artifact from the stone age days of tubeless conversions, and wanting to make sure they sealed and didn’t blow off the rim (Intense tires, anybody?).

    I have no experience on the Goma, but tons on the Sedona, which is (or at least should be) an awesome xc rear tire. The regular version of that tire rides great, but has very fragile sidewalls. OTOH, the TNT version has sturdy sidewalls, but rides pretty harshly, and is VERY tight to mount (at least the older ones). Also, much heavier than the regular version (weights elude me right now).

    IMO, Vittoria needs to lighten up their TNT casing a bit. Say maybe about 120% of the regular version. Just enough to ensure reliable tubeless service.

    Side note: Based on your weight of 155, you might be a bit high on pressure at 26/28. IIRC, that’s about what I ran on the TNT Sedona, and I’m 195.

  2. Great review as always, FYI, running this tire on a wide (~30mm id) rim will square it off nicely and bring the casing width in line with the knobs and will also plump it out to a hair over 2.5″.

    I weigh 220lbs and ride in Socal, so mostly hard and dry, but plenty of spikey rocks. I’ve have had great luck with the non-TNT version in the front running as low as 24psi. The non-TNT also weighs in at a very respectable 900g. I would reserve the TNT for rear duty if you like this type of tread pattern F+R.

    Also, the wear on this thing is very good (front experience only). Mine has lost the sharp edges on the second step on the cornering knobs and the braking edges are rounded a bit too but the tire is still great. I switched to a Magic Mary a few months back because I’m a tire whore and I found myself missing the Goma on hardpack since the tall Mary knobs are better suited to softer terrain.

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