Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    FeedTheHabit.com
    • Home
    • Gear Reviews
      • Road & Gravel
      • Mountain Biking
      • Bike Commuting
      • Trail Running
      • Skiing
      • Outdoors
      • Water Sports
      • Vehicles
    • News
    • Trip Reports
    • Videos
    FeedTheHabit.com
    Gear Reviews

    Hutchinson Fusion 3 Road Tubeless Tire Review

    Jason MitchellBy Jason MitchellApril 6, 2016No Comments4 Mins Read

    Tubeless road tires are the future, right? Well, not exactly. While they are certainly worth trying, not all tubeless road tires are created equal. It’s with that eye that I picked up a set of Hutchinson Fusion 3 tubeless road tires and mounted them to a set of Zipp 30 Course wheels.

    Hutchinson Fusion 3 Road Tubeless Tire Features:

    • Dual-density tread (harder center with softer shoulders for better rolling and cornering)
    • Available in both 23 and 25mm widths (25mm tested)
    • Features a 127 tpi casing
    • Carbon bead structure
    • Patchable with repair kit
    • Weight: 320 grams
    • MSRP: $105 ($39.99 at BikeWagon.com)
    Fusion 3 mounted on Zipp 30 Course wheelset.
    Fusion 3 mounted on Zipp 30 Course wheelset.

    Durable, but heavy tubeless tires

    Hutchinson is one of the original tubeless road champions and continue to provide tubeless offerings throughout their lineup. Going road tubeless does have its advantages and disadvantages. Overall, I’m a fan and have liked these tires, but they aren’t ideal for everything.

    Mounting them up is a straightforward task. I’ve chosen to run these aboard the Zipp 30 Course wheels. Since they are 21mm wide, they allow tires to develop a fuller profile and, I think, seat in the rim much better.

    I was able to get the tires on the rim, but only after a bit of persuasion. In the end I used a tire lever to pop the last 10-inches or so. Going with soapy water might have eliminated that need, but I got it done. From there, I used Bontrager sealant and inflated using the Bontrager TLR Flash Charger to seat up the bead. A couple of spins and I was set. Air leakage has been minimal — about what you’d expect from a typical tube/tire setup.

    On the road, I immediately noticed the soft, supple ride. While the Zipp’s are great wheels, they are fairly stiff-riding and the Fusion 3’s went a long way to soften things up. Small road imperfections were muted and the overall ride was noticeably calmed. Compared to the Continental GP4000S tires and latex tubes that were removed, the Fusion 3’s do feel sluggish and end up adding about 1/3 lb. for the pair. Typically I see a weight reduction by going tubeless, but not here.

    Goat heads are no match for these tires.
    Goat heads are no match for these tires.

    While there wasn’t a weight reduction, there was an increase in comfort and confidence. I’ve experienced more than my fair share of punctures with the 4000S, but I absolutely love their performance. The Fusion 3’s, on the other hand are nearly bombproof. I’d go so far as to call these “worry-free” with confidence. Just ride them for a few thousand miles and repeat.

    The downsides? Well, aside from the weight penalty mentioned above, I’m going to knock them for their mediocre road feel. They do end up feeling vague and numb on the road. And, the added weight at the outermost edge does translate into a little bit of a gyroscope-effect while cornering. If you’re buying these tires, you’re not buying them for their zippiness — you’re buying them for their puncture resistance. Just remember that as you roll through that next patch of goat heads.

    Note: The Fusion 3’s have been discontinued in favor of the Fusion 5’s, but are still around at a significant discount. 

    The Good

    • Noticeable comfort improvement
    • Worry-free performance
    • Affordable ($39.99 now)
    • Seats easily

    The Bad

    • Heavy beasts
    • Delivers a numb ride
    • Rotational momentum affects steering

    The Bottom Line: Hutchinson Fusion 3

    Just ride your bike. Ride it anywhere, all year. Ride over glass, thorns and general road mayhem — all without punctures. Yes, you can slash these tires under the worst of scenarios, but normal punctures from glass and thorns are things of the past — they seal right up.

    Buy Now: Available at BikeWagon.com

    In Summary

    7.8 Worry-free Riding

    Again, you're going to love these if you want to ride your bike and not worry about punctures. Just let them roll for winter riding and roads or trails that often feature scree, thorns or glass. They are heavy and do affect steering precision, but if puncture-free performance is what you seek, the Fusion 3's are both reliable and affordable.

    • Comfort 9
    • Durability 9
    • Handling 7
    • Road Feel 6
    ShareTweet
    Hutchinson tires
    Previous Article2017 Fox 32 SC Refines XC Racing Forks
    Next Article Tom Boonen: I Am Specialized – Paris-Roubaix
    Jason Mitchell
    • Website
    • X (Twitter)

    A native of the Pacific Northwest, Jason quickly developed a love for the outdoors and a thing for mountains. That infatuation continues as he founded this site in 1999 -- sharing his love of road biking, mountain biking, trail running and skiing. That passion is channeled into every article or gear review he writes. Utah's Wasatch Mountains are his playground.

    You Might Also Like

    Ornot Micro Grid Jersey Review

    September 29, 2023

    Patagonia Nano-Air Light Hybrid Hoody Review

    September 27, 2023

    Salomon Pulsar Trail Pro 2 Review

    September 25, 2023

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Most Popular
    8.9

    Zipp 303 S Carbon Wheelset Review

    November 4, 2021

    Suunto 9 Peak Pro Watch Review

    August 21, 2023
    9.2

    SRAM Rival XPLR eTap AXS Groupset Review

    August 12, 2022

    SRAM Rival/GX AXS Mullet Gravel Kit Review

    September 17, 2021
    9.1

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 TLR Wheelset Review

    September 9, 2021
    9.1

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 TLR Wheelset Review

    June 18, 2020
    9.6

    Trek Domane SLR 9 AXS Gen 4 Review

    May 10, 2023

    Montec Fawk Ski Jacket and Bib Review

    February 28, 2022

    Salomon Pulsar Trail Pro 2 Review

    September 25, 2023

    Moosejaw Ice Fort 25 Quart Hard Cooler Review

    May 17, 2023
    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Advertisement
    Our Latest Posts
    • Ornot Micro Grid Jersey Review
    • Patagonia Nano-Air Light Hybrid Hoody Review
    • Salomon Pulsar Trail Pro 2 Review
    • Italian Endurance: Pinarello Launches Dogma X
    • Gore Wear TrailKPR Gloves Review
    • Velocio Ombre Ultralight Mesh Jersey Review
    • Review: Osmo Power Fuel Mix
    • Fresh Wheels: Fulcrum Wind 42 and Wind 57 Wheelsets
    • Elitewheels Drive G45 Gravel Wheelset Review
    • The North Face Wander Sun Hoodie Review
    About Us
    About Us

    Since 1999, we have delivered in-depth gear reviews, articles and content. We feature a small staff of savvy, experienced writers who love to review outdoor gear.

    External links to Amazon, REI, Backcountry and other retailers include affiliate codes that give us a small commission on each sale.

    To contact us or learn more, go to our About Us page.

    © FeedTheHabit.com 1999 - 2023. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.