Pirelli launched two new tube-type tires, the P Zero Race and the P Zero Road. These two new tires have updates to the compound and the housing. Pirelli claims that these are the best road bike tires it has ever produced with the Italian brand, claiming that they outperform all other decisive tires, including tubular, that it produces.
Pirelli launched its first road bike tire in 2017 and has since been refining its line to improve performance. These two new tires are the first update of the Genesis P Zero line. OP Zero Race is the fastest tire, optimized for racing through a three-year development with the Worldtour teams sponsored by Pirelli, BikeExchange, TREK Segafredo and AG2R Citroën. OP Zero Road is a more durable training tire that prioritizes protection and durability over speed and grip.
The big update is the introduction of the new SmartEvo compound from Pirelli that we saw previously used in Pirelli P Zero tubeless racing tires launched last year. The new compound is claimed to give better grip in wet conditions, while still maintaining low rolling resistance. The P Zero road, more focused on resistance, acquires a more resistant Evo compound to extend the life of the tire. The tread pattern in the Race version is the same as the compressed Z tread pattern of other race-oriented Pirelli tires, while the Road iteration has a more condensed pattern.
Both the racing and road tires have the same 120 tpi carcass, using Pirelli’s TechBelt technology, which adds a cut-resistant fabric layer under the tread to prevent punctures.
Pirelli is offering the P Zero Race in sizes 26 mm, 28 mm and 30 mm with color options of red, yellow, white or a classic logo (beige wall) for the two smaller sizes. The road version has no combination of colors or classic side wall options and is 24 mm, 26 mm and 28 mm in size. For a racing tire, the size offered is on the larger side, however, Pirelli provides the width (WAM) and outside diameter (RAM) of the tires when mounted on ETRTO 17c, 19c and 21c rims for customers to check the slack.
In the box, Pirelli provides a very comprehensive list of recommended tire pressures for racing on the P-Zero Race and on the road based on the driver’s weight, rim width and tire size. Pirelli also offers suggestions on fine-tuning tire pressure based on riding conditions and preferences to get the best tire performance.
The new P Zero Race on a 26mm tilts the scale at 205g, which is about 5g saving compared to Pirelli’s original P Zero at 25mm. Our 28mm test samples, with a declared weight of 225g, weigh 230g and 227g on our scales. Pirelli gives a declared weight of 345g for the P Zero Race in its largest size of 30 mm. The Zero Road P with its most durable compound has the declared weights of 215g, 235g and 255g for 24mm, 26mm and 28mm, respectively. Again, this represents a savings of around 5g compared to the current all-weather P Zero 4S tire that Pirelli offers.
Pirelli priced the P Zero Race at $ 69.90 / € 59.90 / £ TBC and the P Zero Road with a focus on resistance to $ 49.90 / € 39.90 / £ TBC.
Technical specifications: Pirelli P ZERO Race tire
- Price: $ 69.90 / € 59.90 / £ TBC
- Type: clincher tube type
- Size: 26 mm, 28 mm, 30 mm
- Weight (claimed): 205g, 225g, 245g
- TPI: 120 tpi
Technical specifications: Pirelli P ZERO Road tire
- Price: $ 49.90 / € 39.90 / £ TBC
- Type: clincher tube type
- Size: 24mm, 26mm, 28mm
- Weight (claimed): 215g, 235g, 255g
- TPI: 120 tpi