French tire giants Hutchinson may be one of the key players in the industry alongside Continental, Michelin and Pirelli, but they’ve remained more of a niche player in the world of road cycling. However, Hutchinson are aiming to change that in our 2025 road tire group test with the brand-new Blackbird Race. Their approach? Lightweight construction, a distinctive tread pattern, and development guided by the needs of the Intermarché pro team. In doing so, they’ve prioritised performance, low weight, and high comfort. Durability and puncture protection, on the other hand, have taken a back seat. According to Hutchinson, the new tire is a full 10% faster than its predecessor. But is that enough to lead the pack of our 2025 road bike tire group test?
Featherlight and Lightning Fast? – The Hutchinson Blackbird Race in Our 2025 Road Tire Test
With a sensationally low weight of just 252.5 g and a measured width of 30.2 mm, the Hutchinson Blackbird Race ranks among the lightest all-round race tires in the test field – just slightly heavier than the time trial specific Continental GP 5000 TT TR. The featherweight construction certainly is impressive, but it does come at the expense of puncture protection. In that regard, the Blackbird Race finds itself in the lower third of the field, offering less durability than all but the Challenge Criterium RS, Pirelli P ZERO TLR RS and Specialized RapidAir. When it comes to efficiency, the Blackbird Race performs well, though it doesn’t quite lead the pack. With a rolling resistance of 13.2 watts, it slots in just behind the fastest all-rounders like the Challenge Criterium RS, Continental Aero 111, Michelin Power Cup and Schwalbe Pro One TL. Still, it’s noticeably quicker than offerings from MAXXIS, Pirelli and Vittoria. Out on the road, the Blackbird has a pleasantly sporty and racy character when accelerating, though it can’t quite match the razor-sharp response of the most light footed models. The grip on offer is decent and predictable, and the tire remains easy to control even when it starts to slide, giving you plenty of confidence. Cornering is another one of the tire’s strong points, thanks to a finely struck balance of comfort and feedback.
Where the Blackbird Race really shines is in compliance. For a race tire built with weight savings in mind, it’s surprisingly smooth and supple. It soaks up road buzz and imperfections with ease but never feels vague or disconnected. That doesn’t just make it a great option for rough tarmac but also for occasional stretches of gravel or cobblestones, where it delivers impressive levels of comfort and reliable grip. Hutchinson also score highly for ease of installation: the Blackbird Race slips onto the rim almost effortlessly, almost with one hand. That said, we did need a generous helping of sealant to get it properly airtight. In terms of looks, the Blackbird Race keeps a low profile. Its angular tread pattern may be striking, but the overall look remains understated and clean.
Tire Characteristics
Rolling Resistance
Pinch-Flat Protection
Puncture Protection
Grip
Conclusion on the Hutchinson Blackbird Race
The Hutchinson Blackbird Race is the featherweight surprise of our 2025 road bike tire group test. It impressed us with its ultra-low weight of just 252.5 g, high level of comfort, and ample grip. While it doesn’t quite match the best in terms of efficiency, and its middling puncture protection holds it back to some degree, the Blackbird Race stands out from the crowd nonetheless. If you’re after a particularly light, comfortable, and slightly different road tire for demanding routes and long climbs, this one’s a compelling choice.
Tops
- Extremely low weight
- Plenty of grip
- Very comfortable
Flops
- Limited puncture protection
Made in France | Tested size 30-622 | Tire width in mm¹ 30.2 | Tire height in mm¹ 20.2 | Tire height + test rim depth in mm² 65.4 | Weight 252.5 g | Price € 79.99
1 measured dimensions with 5.0 Bar, 2 Test rim: HUNT 40 Carbon Disc 622 x 22TC (Rim height 45.2 mm)
Find out more on cycling.hutchinson.com.
The Test Field
You can find an overview of this comparison test here:
The 13 best road bike tires head to head. Reviewing the best tubeless and clincher tires for road bikes
All tires in review: Challenge Criterium RS | Continental GP 5000 S TR | Continental Aero 111 | Continental GP 5000 TT TR | Hutchinson Blackbird Race | MAXXIS HighRoad Gen 3 | Michelin Power Cup TLR Competition Line | Pirelli P ZERO TLR RS | Pirelli P ZERO Race RS | Schwalbe Pro One TL | Specialized RapidAir TLR | Specialized S-Works Turbo TLR | Vittoria Corsa Pro TR
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Words: Calvin Zajac Photos: Jan Fock
