Road Bike Tire Test: Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS SpeedCore (retro) 28
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 10.0 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 44 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 79 Points
- Conclusion: 5.0 / 5 Highly Recommended
- Comments
- Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS SpeedCore (retro) 28
(100% is best)
Tires with sidewalls that are a different color than black are becoming increasingly popular. We are now seeing tires that offer not just one alternative sidewall color but several options, allowing the tires to be matched to almost any bike and style. Pirelli is following this trend and now offers the P Zero Race TLR RS in black, dark brown, and a variant with a lighter color that reminds us of cotton tires.
We have already tested some tires in both black and alternative sidewall colors, and the results of our tests have been mixed. A brief summary of what we've observed is that the color of the sidewalls itself doesn't indicate much, as the method of achieving this color varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and from tire to tire.
What we have seen is that there are roughly three options for changing the color of the sidewalls: 1. Simply repainting or coloring the sidewalls a color other than black. 2. Keeping sidewalls free of rubber to reveal the natural color of the casing material. 3. Using a different color rubber on the sidewalls than on the tread.
In general, you can assume that black sidewalls are almost always the best choice from a performance standpoint. We have also tested tires where the colored sidewalls perform just as well as the black version, but without testing this first, it always remains a risk.
The Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS with SpeedCore casing (read our review) has quickly become one of the most popular tires on our website for all-round road bike use. The Retro version with light sidewalls will be a godsend for many people because, in terms of looks, there is no better choice if you're looking for a tire with light sidewalls.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Pirelli |
| Model | P Zero Race TLR RS SpeedCore (retro) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Tire Type | Tubeless |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | Very High |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | 4610100 |
| EAN | 8019227461015 |
| TPI | 120 |
| Compound | SmartEvo 2 |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 28-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 28 |
| Specified Weight | 290 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 102 |
| Made In | Pro Data |
| Available Sizes |
26-622 (700x26c) 28-622 (700x28c) 30-622 (700x30c) 32-622 (700x32c) |
Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS SpeedCore (retro) 28 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 290 grams |
| Measured Weight | 306 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + valve + rim seal) |
326 grams |
| Measured Width | 28 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 25 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 2.5 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Pro Data |
| Unmounted Casing Width | 71 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) |
10.0 Watts CRR: 0.00300 |
| 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 | 44 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 | 2.5 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 | 79 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 RS SpeedCore (retro) 28
(100% is best)
The Retro version of the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS performs a little better in our tests than the version with black sidewalls we tested last year (read our review). However, the differences are minimal, and we conclude that the differences we measured reflect the margin of error of the tests and manufacturing tolerances.
We are confident that the Retro version performs just as well as the black version so that you can enjoy the light sidewalls without any consequences. The strong performance of the Retro version also makes the P Zero Race TLR RS even more appealing.
Compare the P Zero Race TLR RS with black and retro sidewalls on our comparison section.
RATING:
5.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended