The Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS is claimed to be the fastest road bike tyre the brand has ever made.
Designed specifically for racing (‘RS’ stands for Racing Speed), the P Zero Race TLR RS features an updated Pirelli SpeedCore casing and a new SmartEvo rubber compound.
According to the Italian brand, the P Zero Race TLR RS offers a 16 per cent reduction in rolling resistance and an 8 per cent reduction in weight, compared to the existing P Zero Race TLR.
Given this, it appears to be designed to compete with the new generation of time trial tyres that are increasingly being used in road races, such as the Continental GP5000 TT TR and Vittoria Corsa Pro Speed TLR.
Pirelli says the P Zero Race TLR RS also features an updated tubeless bead, which offers improved compatibility with hookless rims.
Available now, the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS is available in four sizes from 700x26 to 70x32c, and costs £84.99 / $99.90 / €89.90.
Racing Speed
The current P Zero Race TLR is already considered one of the best road bike tyres available, topping the rolling resistance group test we performed last year and winning plenty of races in the WorldTour.
Nevertheless, weight-obsessed professional riders want things to be made lighter and faster.
Pirelli claims to have done that with the P Zero Race TLR RS.
Pirelli claims it offers a 16 per cent reduction in rolling resistance, alongside an 8 per cent reduction in weight.
According to Pirelli, the reduction in rolling resistance for the P Zero Race TLR RS comes thanks to an updated SmartEvo2 rubber compound and the new lighter casing.
These changes also improve grip compared to the standard P Zero Race TLR, Pirelli says.
Like the P Zero Race TLR, the P Zero Race TLR RS uses a 120 TPI (Threads Per Inch) casing with Pirelli’s SpeedCore technology.
This sees a thin layer of aramid-infused rubber used to help make the tyre airtight – a critical feature for any tubeless tyre.
This layer enables the rest of the tyre casing to be made thinner and lighter, reducing weight and rolling resistance.
According to Pirelli, the updated casing has been lightened by modifying the thickness of the fabric layers and the tyre’s tread.
A size 700x28c Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS is claimed to weigh 295g.
Notably, this is the same claimed weight as for a standard 700x28c Pirelli P Zero Race TLR – when we reviewed that tyre though, our samples weighed 310g each (in the same size). Perhaps Pirelli will update its claimed weight for the standard model accordingly.
Pirelli hasn’t made any specific claims about the puncture resistance of the P Zero Race TLR RS, but it’s worth noting Pirelli-sponsored riders were using the tyres at the 2024 Paris-Roubaix (marked as prototypes).
Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS details, pricing and availability
The Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS is available now and costs £84.99 / $99.90 / €89.90.
At launch, It’s available only in black and in four sizes; 700x26c, 700x28c, 700x30c and 700x32c.
Pirelli says the P Zero Race TLR RS is compatible with hookless rims in a size 700x28c or larger – the 26c tyre is not compatible with hookless rims.
It also says the tubeless bead has been updated for better compatibility and air retention on “modern rims”.
According to Pirelli, the P Zero Race TLR RS complements the existing P Zero Race TLR and does not replace it.
Pirelli’s performance road bike tyre range now encompasses the P Zero Race TLR RS as its fastest option, with the standard P Zero Race TLR now denoted as more of an all-rounder.
The P Zero Race TLR 4S remains Pirelli’s go-to option for all-season performance.
Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS claimed weights
- 700x26c – 270g per tyre
- 700x28c – 295g per tyre
- 700x30c – 320g per tyre
- 700x32c – 345g per tyre
