Road Bike Tire Test: Pirelli P Zero Velo Race TLR SL 26
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 12.9 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 36 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 67 Points
- Conclusion: 4.0 / 5 Recommended
- Comments
- Pirelli P Zero Velo Race TLR SL 26
(100% is best)
The Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SL is a faster and lighter version of the Pirelli P Zero Velo Race TLR (read our review). To make it faster and lighter, Pirelli simply removed the puncture strip under the tread and also made the tread a little thinner.
All other aspects of these tires are essentially the same as both the Race TLR and Race TLR SL come with a tubeless-ready 120 TPI casing and the same SmartEVO compound. The SmartEVO compound is still a balanced compound and not solely optimized to provide the lowest possible rolling resistance.
The Race TLR SL is available in the 24-622, 26-622, and 28-622 sizes. The Race TLR is also available in the 30-622 size but we think it's a good choice to drop that size for the SL as this tire is more targeted towards the performance crowd.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Pirelli |
| Model | P Zero Velo Race TLR SL |
| 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 | 3905500 |
| EAN | 8019227390551 |
| TPI | 120 |
| Compound | SmartEvo |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 26-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 26 |
| Specified Weight | 245 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 109 |
| Made In | Pro Data |
| Available Sizes |
24-622 (700x24c) 26-622 (700x26c) 28-622 (700x28c) |
Pirelli P Zero Velo Race TLR SL 26 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 245 grams |
| Measured Weight | 247 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + valve + rim seal) |
267 grams |
| Measured Width | 27 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 23 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 2.4 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Pro Data |
| Unmounted Casing Width | 63 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 | 27 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) |
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 (100 psi / 6.9 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 (80 psi / 5.5 bar) |
12.9 Watts CRR: 0.00387 |
| 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) |
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 | 36 Points |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Pro Data |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | 8 Points |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Pro Data |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 2.4 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
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 | 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 Velo Race TLR SL 26
(100% is best)
The Pirelli P Zero Velo Race TLR SL offers a low rolling resistance but it comes at the cost of a greatly decreased puncture resistance of the tread. When we compare it to the regular Race TLR (read our review) that comes with a puncture strip and a 25% thicker tread, rolling resistance isn't all that much lower while puncture resistance of the tread drops from 12 points to 8 points for the SL.
We think you'll have a hard time justifying the use of the SL over the regular Race TLR as the performance of these tires is this close. This is a good tire, but we rate the SL a bit lower at 4.0 out of 5 as we think the regular Race TLR is a more balanced tire. Compare the Race TLR SL against the Race TLR side by side.
RATING:
4.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Recommended