Pirelli’s new P Zero Road and Race clinchers – both grippier and faster?
Four years ago, Pirelli made a return to cycling with its P Zero Velo tyre. The P Zero range now includes clinchers, tubeless, and tubular tyre options. Today Pirelli has announced two new tyres, the P Zero Race and P Zero Road, to replace the original P Zero Velo clincher.
P Zero Race
Pirelli designed the P Zero race with performance in mind, focusing on improving grip in both wet and dry conditions while also decreasing rolling resistance. To do this, Pirelli has utilised the same Smart Evo compound and tread pattern as seen on the P Zero TLR.
The Smart Evo compound is said to contain a blend of smart polymers that combine to provide the opposing characteristics of high grip and low rolling resistance.
The new P Zero range gets an all new 120TPI Nylon casing construction specifically designed for use with inner tubes and the new ETRTO 19c rim standards. As a result, the tread on the new tyres is significantly wider than that on the outgoing P Zero Velo. Under this new compound, Pirelli has added its TechBelt puncture protection with an additional Aramid layer for increased resistance.
Pirelli is offering the Race tyre in 24, 26, 28 and 30 mm sizes and is also supplying a detailed size guide based on internal rim widths (see below).
The P Zero Race will be initially available with a black or tan sidewall, with yellow, red and white decal versions to follow soon.
The P Zero Race is priced at US$74.90 / £54.99
P Zero Road
Pirelli has also announced the P Zero Road, which will offer many of the same characteristics as the Race but with added versatility. The tyre was specifically designed as a training tyre for the WorldTour riders on teams AG2R-Citroen, Trek-Segafredo, and BikeExchange.
The P Zero Road forgoes outright speed for increased durability and puncture protection. Pirelli has built the Road with its Evo Compound rubber, which increases weight slightly (approx 30 g per tyre) but provides extra durability and protection compared to the P Zero Race with its Smart Evo compound.
As with the P Zero Race, Pirelli also claims increased grip, decreased rolling resistance, improved comfort and smoothness with this new tyre.
The P Zero Road is only available in 24, 26, and 28 mm widths – somewhat strange given that Pirelli says the tyre was specifically developed as a multi-purpose option.
While only available in black, the P Zero road is priced slightly cheaper at US$49.90 / £37.99
Size and pressure
Pirelli supplies actual mounted dimensions and suggested running pressures for various rim widths and rider weights for all the new tyres. Pirelli has said “the new carcass construction of the P Zero family tyres makes it important to use recommended pressures and appropriate rims.”
P Zero Race size guide. 
P Zero Race pressure guide. 
P Zero Road pressure guide. 
P Zero Road size guide.
For more information, visit velo.pirelli.com.
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