New construction with aramid fibres designed to provide a smoother ride
Pirelli has updated its tubeless-ready P Zero Race TLR road bike tyres, with a new carcass construction that it says leads to a 24 per cent reduction in rolling resistance for a 28mm tyre compared to the previous generation.
Although the new P Zero Race TLR has the same SmartEVO rubber compound as the outgoing tyre, Pirelli says its new Speedcore construction uses aramid fibres to provide improved puncture protection.
The new construction also allows for a thinner, more pliant casing and lower rolling resistance.
The tyres are available in either black or tan wall options, with sizes ranging from 26mm to 32mm depending on spec.
Aramid fibres for increased pliancy
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Pirelli says the arrangement of the aramid fibres ensures even binding with the rubber compound to improve the tyre’s mechanical properties.
Pirelli also claims this offers better puncture protection than a traditional cotton or nylon fabric casing.
The new tyre’s weight and its wet and dry grip are claimed to remain unchanged from the previous-generation tyre, making it a reliable, high-performance all-rounder.
Pirelli will be manufacturing the tyre alongside its existing and unchanged P Zero Race 4S all-weather tyre at its plant in Milan.
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We rated the previous-generation P Zero Race TLR when we tested it in 2021, praising the tyre’s light weight (299g), easy tubeless setup and impressive air retention.
We also noted the previous-generation tyre’s hookless rim compatibility, making it a good option for use with the latest performance wheelsets, such as the Zipps used by the Trek-Segafredo pro team.
We were also impressed by the tyre’s ride, with rolling resistance that already felt as low as the best road bike tyres, so a 24 per cent improvement for the new version sounds impressive.
Pirelli P Zero Race TLR widths, pricing and availability
The new P Zero Race TLR tyre is available for 700c wheels in 26mm, 28mm and 30mm widths with either tan, which Pirelli calls Classic, or standard black sidewalls. There’s a 32mm width that comes only with black sidewalls.
In line with the trend for increasingly wide tyres on road bikes, Pirelli will be introducing 35mm and 40mm-wide tyres later this year. Pirelli hasn’t provided weight information for the new tyres at the time of launch.
UK pricing is as follows:
- Pirelli P Zero Race TLR, 26mm: £77.99
- Pirelli P Zero Race TLR, 28mm: £78.99
- Pirelli P Zero Race TLR, 30mm: £79.99
- Pirelli P Zero Race TLR Classic, 26mm: £79.99
- Pirelli P Zero Race TLR Classic, 28mm: £80.99
- Pirelli P Zero Race TLR Classic, 30mm: £81.99
International pricing TBC.