Road Bike Tire Test: Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SpeedCore 28
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 13.3 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 56 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 75 Points
- Conclusion: 5.0 / 5 Highly Recommended
- Comments
- Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SpeedCore 28
(100% is best)
The Pirelli P Zero Race TLR recently received an update and now comes with Pirelli's new SpeedCore construction that they manufacture exclusively in their new factory in Italy. We're excited about this updated version of the P Zero Race TLR as we recently tested the Pirelli P Zero Race 4S (read our review), which is also manufactured in their new factory. We found the P Zero Race 4S a significant upgrade over Pirelli's older tires which were made in France or Thailand.
From information we found on Pirelli's website, it's clear that the new P Zero Race TLR differs significantly from the old version. The new factory in Italy probably gave Pirelli a chance to start from scratch with their casing designs. The new P Zero Race TLR now comes with a new (patent pending) tubeless coating on the inside of the tire instead of the old version that had an extra layer of air-sealing fabric that ran from bead to bead and which was applied as an additional layer on the outside of the casing.
We also see a similar change with the extra layer of anti-puncture-resistant material placed under the tread's center. On the old version, the center strip was applied as an extra layer on top of the other casing layers. With the new version of the P Zero Race TLR, we see the center strip is wrapped within the other casing layers. It's now the third layer instead of the first layer (out of 5 layers) when we look through the tire from the outside to the inside.
We believe that the best puncture resistance, with the least amount of material, is achieved when the strongest material is wrapped within the other layers and as close to the inside of the tire as possible. This is because the wrapping makes the material even stronger, and the outer layers take some of the force before arriving at the main anti-puncture layer. When it's the other way around, the object will likely penetrate the weaker layers as well once the strongest layer has been broken.
When looking at the compound, the specifications indicate the compound is unchanged as Pirelli still uses its SmartEvo compound. Based on our test results, we wouldn't be surprised if this compound is slightly different, as Pirelli now has an in-house factory. It allows them to use the latest compound technology and company knowledge from their vast experience with formulating compounds.
What's also surprising is that the new P Zero Race TLR will be available in much bigger sizes than we usually see with road bike tires. Next to the 26-622, 28-622, 30-622, and 32-622 sizes that are available as of right now, Pirelli will also introduce 35-622 and 40-622 sizes of the P Zero Race TLR later this year. We look forward to seeing gravel and touring bikes equipped with 40-622 P Zero Race TLR tires.
We've tested the 28-622 version of the Race TLR, which is likely to become one of the most popular sizes as we see a strong trend towards bigger road bike tires with the increasing popularity of tubeless road bike tires.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Pirelli |
| Model | P Zero Race TLR SpeedCore |
| Year | 2023 |
| Tire Type | Tubeless |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | Very High |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | 4149600 |
| EAN | 8019227414967 |
| TPI | 120 |
| Compound | SmartEvo |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 28-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 28 |
| Specified Weight | 295 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 102 |
| Made In | Pro Data |
| 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 28 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 295 grams |
| Measured Weight | 314 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + valve + rim seal) |
334 grams |
| Measured Width | 28 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 25 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 3 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Pro Data |
| Unmounted Casing Width | 70 mm |
| Unmounted Tread Width | Pro Data |
| Tread Cover (Tread / Casing Ratio) | Pro Data |
| All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 100 psi / 6.9 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim. | |
Rolling Resistance Test Results
| Rolling Resistance Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Inner Tube | None (20 ml sealant) |
| Measured Width | 28 mm (un-round) |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 132 psi/9.1 bar 25-27 = 120 psi/8.3 bar 28-29 = 108 psi/7.4 barUltra High Air Pressure (108 psi / 7.4 bar) |
Pro Data |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 110 psi/7.6bar 25-27 = 100 psi/6.9 bar 28-29 = 90 psi/6.2 barExtra High Air Pressure (90 psi / 6.2 bar) |
Pro Data |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 88 psi/6.1 bar 25-27 = 80 psi/5.5 bar 28-29 = 72 psi/5.0 barHigh Air Pressure (72 psi /5.0 bar) |
13.3 Watts CRR: 0.00399 |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 66 psi/4.6 bar 25-27 = 60 psi/4.1 bar 28-29 = 54 psi/3.7 barMedium Air Pressure (54 psi / 3.7 bar) |
Pro Data |
| The Road Bike 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 | 56 Points |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Pro Data |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Pro Data |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Pro Data |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 3 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Pro Data |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Pro Data |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Pro Data |
Static Grip Test Results
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | 75 Points |
| Wet Grip Center | Pro Data |
| Wet Grip Edge | Pro Data |
| Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 Road bike grip test rim width = 19.0 mm |
|
Conclusion
- Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SpeedCore 28
(100% is best)
The made-in-Italy Pirelli P Zero Race TLR with SpeedCore casing is the go-to allround road bike tire as it combines a low rolling resistance with very strong puncture resistance and excellent wet grip. The only flaw we can find is the slightly higher than advertised weight (314 vs 295 grams) of our 28-622 sample of the P Zero Race TLR. We're impressed by Pirelli's ability to find the perfect balance for allround use. It kind of makes 4-season or all-season tires obsolete.
The older version of the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR (read our review) was already a strong performer, but Pirelli's new Italian factory gained them an edge over the competition. We're sure other manufacturers will look closely at this tire, as Pirelli seems serious about their entry into the bicycle tire market. Given the performance of the P Zero Race TLR, we can see it become one of the most popular tubeless road bike tires.
When you buy these tires, make sure it's the SpeedCore version and it's made in Italy as the older versions might still be available for a while.
Rated 5 out of 5, and we're looking forward to seeing more tires come out of Pirelli's Italian factory.
RATING:
5.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended