A need for speed.
The performance vs. sustainability trade-off: Tires
I’m supple, a little bit lighter than my counterparts, and my priority is speed. The trade-off? I’m a bit more fragile, require extra attention from time to time, and while I wish I could make it through an entire season with you… I won’t. A small cut, a flat spot, and that’ll be the end of me.
I am a racing tire.
I want to last longer. One day I know I’ll be made from fully recycled materials. But for now, I’m here to help you go fast. I’m here for a good time, not a long time.
As an environmentally conscious athlete, there’s nothing worse than pulling off what looks like a perfectly good tire just because race day is near. But the objective is clear: win. And winning means minimizing risks, controlling the few variables we can.
Tires are a tough one. Car tires are known contributors to microplastic pollution and environmental degradation, impacting both air and water quality. There’s been little to no research on the environmental impact of bike tires, but it’s hard not to think about it when riding along a quiet gravel path that winds beside a river.
And it’s not just about materials. The energy that goes into manufacturing a tire, the inputs, emissions, and logistics, matters too. So I pay attention. I ask more questions. Do I read every brand’s impact report? No. For full transparency, there’s also the commercial side of sport: sponsorships, team equipment deals, free product.
This past year, I had a choice. I chose Vittoria.
Why? Performance first, but also because their sustainability approach made sense to me. I recently connected with Giada, their ESG specialist, to learn more. We talked about material sourcing, factory emissions, and how they’ve eliminated gas from their production cycle. We also touched on end-of-life recycling, tubeless sealant waste, and the importance of verifiable recycling practices.
Then came the elephant in the room: performance and durability. Using recycled materials is often at odds with racing demands, but Vittoria is closing that gap. In October they will launch the Terreno Pro T60 Mixed, a tire made with 92% recycled materials that’s built for speed. And they aren’t stopping there. The team believes the best-performing tire can also be the lowest-impact one. It’s just going to take more time, testing, and commitment.
Other brands I keep an eye on from a sustainability standpoint? Schwalbe and Continental.
Some quick stats:
Race days so far this year: 26
Tires used this race season: 5
But what about training? Well, much to the dislike of some, I will run my training tires until not even the biggest bar wrapper will get me home…
Training KM’s ridden so far this year: 11,850
Training Tires Used: 2
I’m not perfect. The sport isn’t perfect. But every small decision, every choice about what we ride and why, helps shape a faster and more sustainable future.