Road Bike Tire Test: Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SL-R 28
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 8.4 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 41 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 80 Points
- Conclusion: 5.0 / 5 Highly Recommended
- Comments
- Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SL-R 28
(100% is best)
The P Zero Race TLR SL-R is the latest addition to Pirelli's road bike range, and it's made for absolute performance in road races and time-trials. The SL-R isn't simply a lightened version of the popular P Zero Race TLR RS, but a completely new design with new LiteCore casing and an aero-optimized PAAS (Pirelli Advanced Aerodynamic System) structure that creates a seamless transition between the tire and rim.
The new LiteCore casing is completely different from Pirelli's SpeedCore casing, which we've become accustomed to over the past 3 years. The LiteCore casing does away with the air-tight layer on the inside of the tire, and it's now a 2-layer under-the-tread, 3-layer sidewall design instead of 3-layer under-the-tread and 2-layer sidewalls. This change helps make the tire more supple and provides a smoother ride quality.
The aerodynamic PAAS sidewalls are also a huge change, providing a nearly smooth sidewall-to-rim transition that we haven't seen before. We've seen other aero tires with an aero tread pattern or designed for a specific tire/wheel combination, but they never solved the tire-to-rim transition. Pirelli's new system should be an improvement regardless of which wheel you use.
Pirelli's tires have never been the lightest, and although the P Zero Race TLR SL-R is a bit lighter than the P Zero Race TLR RS, it's still a bit heavier than the competition. This is the price to pay for the aerodynamic PAAS structure, as the sidewalls are progressively thicker towards the bead, and we estimate this adds 20 to 30 grams of weight to the tire.
Pirelli stuck with their SmartEvo 2 compound, which rolls fast yet remains one of the grippiest on the market. Pirelli could have reduced rolling resistance by another 1 to 2 watts per tire by sacrificing wet grip, but that would have compromised its versatility and made it a pure dry-weather time-trial tire.
The Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SL-R is available in 28-622 and 30-622 sizes, and both are available in either a standard color version (grey logo) or a team edition with a flashy yellow logo. As far as we know, it's just a color difference, and the performance should be the same for both color editions. We've tested the 28-622 with standard colors and compared it to the 28-622 Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS (read our review) and a selection of comparable tires from the competition.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Pirelli |
| Model | P Zero Race TLR SL-R |
| Year | 2026 |
| Tire Type | Tubeless |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | Very High |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | 4801900 |
| EAN | 8019227480191 |
| TPI | 120 |
| Compound | SmartEvo 2 |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 28-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 28 |
| Specified Weight | 275 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 94 |
| Made In | Pro Data |
| Available Sizes |
28-622 (700x28c) 30-622 (700x30c) |
Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SL-R 28 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 275 grams |
| Measured Weight | 282 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + valve + rim seal) |
302 grams |
| Measured Width | 28 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | Pro Data |
| Tire Circumference | Pro Data |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 1.9 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 18 mm inner width (unless otherwise stated) 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 28-30 = 108 psi/7.4 bar 31-32 = 100 psi/6.9 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 28-30 = 90 psi/6.2 bar 31-32 = 83 psi/5.7 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 28-30 = 72 psi/5.0 bar 31-32 = 67 psi/4.6 barHigh Air Pressure (72 psi /5.0 bar) |
8.4 Watts CRR: 0.00252 |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 66 psi/4.6 bar 25-27 = 54 psi/4.1 bar 28-30 = 60 psi/3.7 bar 31-32 = 50 psi/3.4 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 | 41 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 | 1.9 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 | 80 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 (unless otherwise stated) |
|
Conclusion
- Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SL-R 28
(100% is best)
The P Zero Race TLR SL-R is now Pirelli's fastest road bike tire, saving roughly 2 watts (per tire) over the P Zero Race TLR RS. When we compare the SL-R to the competition, we see some tires that roll faster. Still, none of those tires offer the overall versatility of Pirelli's latest tire, which offers a low rolling resistance, surprisingly good puncture resistance, and best-in-class wet grip.
We're surprised by the strong puncture resistance of the P Zero Race TLR SL-R that manages to score over 40 points in our tread puncture test with a 2-layer-under-the-tread-casing and a tread thickness of just 1.9 mm. The sidewalls of the LiteCore casing are stronger and thicker than those of older Pirelli tires, thanks to the 3-layer sidewalls and an aero PAAS structure that gets even thicker towards the rim edges. If the real-life puncture performance is as good as our test indicates, this comes close to the ultimate performance tire.
The Pirelli P Zero TLR SL-R with the new LiteCore casing and aerodynamic PAAS sidewall structure sets a new standard, and we feel it's actually worth its premium price (unlike some other tires) due to the innovative features and performance it offers.
Compare the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SL-R and P Zero Race TLR RS on our comparison section.
RATING:
5.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended