Road Bike Tire Test: Pirelli P Zero Velo Race TLR 26
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 11.7 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 57 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 67 Points
- Conclusion: 4.5 / 5 Highly Recommended
- Comments
- Pirelli P Zero Velo Race TLR 26
(100% is best)
Pirelli re-entered the bicycle tire market back in 2017 with the release of the P Zero Velo line of road bike tires. They also launched their first tubeless-ready road bike tire in 2018 with the Cinturato Velo TLR (read our review) which is an all-season tire with very good puncture resistance. Pirelli didn't yet offer all-round or competition tubeless-ready tires, which is a gap they've now filled with the release of the P Zero Velo Race TLR and P Zero Velo Race TLR SL.
The difference between the Race TLR and Race TLR SL (read our review) is that the Race TLR is targeted towards the all-round class of tires that offer a good trade-off between speed, durability, and puncture resistance. The Race TLR SL is very similar but comes without the puncture strip under the tread and less tread thickness which results in a lighter and faster tire.
The P Zero Velo Race TLR comes with a tubeless-ready 120 TPI "Techwall+ Road" casing that offers very good protection of the tread and excellent protection of the sidewalls (see our test results). The SmartEVO compound is also new and improved (according to Pirelli) over their previous road cycling compounds.
The Race TLR also comes in a good range of sizes: 24-622, 26-622, 28-622, and 30-622. Pirelli did resize these tires a bit for the wider rims that are used these days. The 26-622 size is very similar in size to older 25-622 tires.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Pirelli |
| Model | P Zero Velo Race TLR |
| Year | 2020 |
| Tire Type | Tubeless |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | 3832700 |
| EAN | 8019227383270 |
| TPI | 120 |
| Compound | SmartEvo |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 26-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 26 |
| Specified Weight | 270 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 109 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
24-622 (700x24c) 26-622 (700x26c) 28-622 (700x28c) 30-622 (700x30c) |
Pirelli P Zero Velo Race TLR 26 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 270 grams |
| Measured Weight | 267 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + valve + rim seal) |
287 grams |
| Measured Width | 26 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 23 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 3 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| Unmounted Casing Width | 62 mm |
| Unmounted Tread Width | Members Only |
| Tread Cover (Tread / Casing Ratio) | Members Only |
| 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 | 26 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 (120 psi / 8.3 bar) |
11.7 Watts CRR: 0.00351 |
| 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 (100 psi / 6.9 bar) |
12.7 Watts CRR: 0.00381 |
| 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 (80 psi / 5.5 bar) |
Members Only |
| 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 (60 psi / 4.1 bar) |
Members Only |
| 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 | 57 Points |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Members Only |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | 12 Points |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 3 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Members Only |
Static Grip Test Results
NOTE: Grip test data is only available on tires tested after November 2018. You can find more information about our grip test here: Introducing Grip Testing
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | 67 Points |
| Wet Grip Center | Members Only |
| Wet Grip Edge | Members Only |
| Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 | |
Conclusion
- Pirelli P Zero Velo Race TLR 26
(100% is best)
We rate the Pirelli P Zero Velo Race TLR 4.5 out of 5 as we think this is a great tire that can outperform the Continental Grand Prix 5000 TL (read our review) in all our tests except the rolling resistance tests. If you're looking for a tubeless road bike tire that offers more protection than nearly all fast road bike tires, the Pirelli P Zero Velo Race TLR should be on your shortlist.
When we compare the Race TLR to the Race TLR SL, we're also more impressed by the regular Race TLR. The SL only offers only a slightly lower rolling resistance and weight while puncture resistance and tread thickness take quite a big hit. Compare the Race TLR against the Race TLR SL side by side.
RATING:
4.5
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended