CX/Gravel Tire Test: Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SpeedCore 32

We originally planned this to be a test of the 40 mm version of the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR, which Pirelli announced in April of 2023. We have waited for more than a year, but we still can't find the 40 mm version anywhere, so for now, we'll replace it with the 32 mm version that's now widely available.

Ad Buy Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SpeedCore at Amazon.com

The P Zero Race TLR, with Pirelli's latest SpeedCore casing and compound and produced in its own factory in Italy, is one of the best-performing road bike tires at the moment. Unique to the P Zero Race TLR is that it is available in a wide selection of sizes, ranging from 26 mm up to 40 mm, with the 40 mm version attracting the interest of many gravel bike owners.

We tested the 28 mm version of the P Zero Race TLR Speedcore last year, so we already have a good idea of how the 32 mm version will perform. If you want to know more about the P Zero Race TLR with SpeedCore construction, we recommend reading our review of the 28 mm version, where we delve deeper into the details.

This is our test of the 32 mm Pirelli P Zero Race TLR with SpeedCore construction. We will compare it with the Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR (read review) and Grand Prix 5000 All Season (read review), which are currently the benchmarks for all-round 32 mm slick bike tires.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Pirelli
Model	P Zero Race TLR SpeedCore
Year	2024
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	Very High
Buy At	Ad Amazon.com
Manufacturer part number	4155300
EAN	8019227415537
TPI	120
Compound	SmartEvo
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	32-622
Specified Weight	370 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	87
Made In	Members Only
Available Sizes	26-622 (700x26c) 28-622 (700x28c) 30-622 (700x30c) 32-622 (700x32c) 35-622 (700x35c) 40-622 (700x40c)

Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SpeedCore 32 Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	370 grams
Measured Weight	367 grams
Measured Width Casing	31 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	29 mm
Measured Height	29 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center	0.0 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	0.0 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	3.20 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall	Members Only
All size measurements are taken at low air pressure on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

Rolling Resistance Test Results

Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube	None (30 ml sealant)
Measured Width	31 mm
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 66 psi/4.6 bar 33-35 = 60 psi/4.1 bar 36-38 = 54 psi/3.7 bar 39-42 = 50 psi/3.4 bar 43-46 = 46 psi/3.2 bar 47-50 = 42 psi/2.9 barHigh Air Pressure (66 psi / 4.6 bar)	Members Only
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 55 psi/3.8 bar 33-35 = 50 psi/3.4 bar 36-38 = 45 psi/3.1 bar 39-42 = 42 psi/2.9 bar 43-46 = 38 psi/2.6 bar 47-50 = 35 psi/2.4 barMedium Air Pressure (55 psi / 3.8 bar)	Members Only
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 44 psi/3.0 bar 33-35 = 40 psi/2.8 bar 36-38 = 36 psi/2.6 bar 39-42 = 33 psi/2.3 bar 43-46 = 31 psi/2.1 bar 47-50 = 28 psi/1.9 barLow Air Pressure (44 psi / 3.0 bar)	15.8 Watts CRR: 0.00474
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 33 psi/2.3 bar 33-35 = 30 psi/2.1 bar 36-38 = 27 psi/1.9 bar 39-42 = 25 psi/1.7 bar 43-46 = 23 psi/1.6 bar 47-50 = 21 psi/1.4 barExtra Low Air Pressure (33 psi / 2.3 bar)	17.9 Watts CRR: 0.00537
The CX/Gravel section is a multi tire size section, air pressures have been adjusted to the measured casing width. All numbers are for a single tire at a speed of 29 km/h / 18 mph and a load of 42.5 kg / 94 lbs. Use the formula: RR (Watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load.

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread	62 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Members Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness	3.20 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Members Only
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Members Only
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness	Members Only

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results

Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average	80 Points
Wet Grip Center	Members Only
Wet Grip Edge	Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center	0.0 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	0.0 mm
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 CX/Gravel grip test rim width = 23.0 mm
Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info)

Conclusion

The 32 mm version of the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR with SpeedCore casing performs just as well as the smaller 28 mm version we tested earlier. In many respects, the 32 mm version performs better than our 28 mm sample; we see slightly lower rolling resistance, better puncture resistance, and a bit more grip in our wet grip test.

The P Zero Race TLR is a different tire than the popular Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR (read review), which is more performance-focused. The Pirelli does not offer an extremely low rolling resistance, but you get good puncture resistance, tread thickness, and grip, bringing it closer to the Grand Prix 5000 All Season (read review).

As a slick gravel bike tire, the Pirelli approaches perfection; hopefully, we will see the 35 and 40 mm versions of this tire in the future.

Ad Buy Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SpeedCore at Amazon.com

RATING: 5.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Highly Recommended

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