Goodyear Vector Sport tyre review

The Goodyear Vector Sport is the latest all-year endurance tyre from the American brand.

Building on its successful Vector 4 Seasons tyre, which was designed to deliver hardy winter-tyre performance, the Vector Sport is aimed at providing faster rolling speed.

Its endurance credentials hang on the medium-TPI (threads per inch) casing, strong puncture protection belt and carefully designed tread pattern.

Goodyear Vector Sport specifications and details

Goodyear says the Vector Sport tyre is for the “endurance athlete who demands the ultimate in dependability and high-performance, when fixing punctures by the road-side is not an option”.

The robust carcass used has a 60 TPI casing and the Dual R:Shield 'breaker belt' for high levels of puncture protection.

The Dual R:Shield breaker is a double-layer puncture protection belt that sits under the tyre’s tread cap, while maintaining supple sidewalls for improved grip and protection against road buzz.

The tread pattern utilises Goodyear’s Dynamic:HP compound.

There are subtle lugs that run round the corner of the tyre, to improve grip when cornering.

Larger horizontal lugs run on either side and are there to improve grip in wetter conditions.

The central line is smooth to promote lower rolling resistance.

The Vector Sport is available in two constructions – either tubeless-ready or ‘Tube Type’ (clincher) – and in sizes 700x25, 28, 30 and 32c. I tested the tubeless-ready version in a 700x28c size.

Each tyre weighs around 350g, which isn't bad for an all-road winter tyre.

Goodyear Vector Sport performance

I fitted the Goodyear Vector Sport tyres on my Maddux RD 30 rims with only a little hassle.

They were a bit of a struggle to get onto the rims and I had to resort to tyre levers for the final bit.

However, once they were on, they inflated easily, sealed well and didn't puncture throughout testing.

My first thought on seeing the tyres was how narrow they looked. I measured them up in the workshop and, at a pressure of 40psi, they measured only 26mm wide – 2mm less than advertised.

My RD30 hooked rims have a 19mm internal diameter (24mm external), which isn’t that wide by modern standards, but wide enough that I’d expect more plumpness from a 700x28c tyre.

I am used to riding 28 or 30mm tyres, so felt quite daunted about heading out in the winter months with such narrow tyres.

Happily, the Goodyear Vectors performed extremely well on the road.

There was very little road buzz through the tyres, which was a pleasant surprise considering the narrow width.

Overall, I found the ride experience was smooth, reactive and confidence-inspiring.

In the dry, the tyres were exemplary, moving evenly across bumpy road surfaces and gripping well around corners.

They certainly give the feeling of speed, without seeming skittish or out of control. I have taken them on a local hill-rep ride several times, enjoying their lack of drag on the way up and their smooth grip on the way back down.

When I needed to stop suddenly, they did a good job of gripping the road without excess skidding.

The Vector Sport tyres didn’t fare quite so well in the wet, but I tested them in the worst of conditions.

The tail end of autumn here in the UK has meant roads slick with slimy, rotting leaves, washed-out potholes and all manner of thorns and glass – conditions the best road bike tyres can struggle in.

On flat urban roads, the Vector Sport tyres managed well, but it was on the back roads where I felt them lose control. They lost grip in a few washed-out corners, as well as on roads made slimy by leaves and grit.

They were especially unstable when standing on the pedals and pushing hard on climbs – the back wheel lost traction and started spinning on a few occasions.

However, the Vector Sport tyres emerged from these challenging conditions with no punctures and remained in good condition, which bodes well for their longevity.

Goodyear Vector Sport bottom line

For all-year performance tyres, the Goodyear Vector Sports offer a good mix of comfort and a reactive, speedy ride.

I found they measured up narrow, so those who prefer more volume may need to opt for a wider option than the 700x28c size I tested.

Overall, the tyres are a confidence-inspiring and smooth-riding choice in the dry, if a little shy of the best when the going gets wet and slippery.