Most people are probably more familiar with Pirelli from motorsport - e-bikes are not meant - than from cycling. However, since last year, the Italians have developed a Complete range of MTB tyres on offer. From fast XC tyres to all-rounders and robust enduro tyres, everything is included.
In BIKE 8/2019 we tested the Pirellis in the big BIKE tyre test for the first time. In the strong field of cross-country tyres, the newcomers Scorpion MTB M and H tyres were extremely solid and received the BIKE test rating "very good". The drawback at the time: the weight of over 700 grams per tyre makes racing hearts beat faster. Unfortunately not in a positive sense. The Italo tyres marked the upper end of the weight scale in the test field.
Pirelli Scorpion XC RC: Lighter and only in 29 inches
Now Pirelli is launching the Scorpion XC RC - The name already suggests it - a new tyre especially for racers and marathon riders. According to Pirelli, this tyre was designed for the toughest XCO race tracks in the world. Like all tyres from the Milan-based company, the new tyre comes with the Smartgrip compound. Contrary to the trend towards ever wider tyres, the new Pirelli Scorpion XC RC is only available as a 29-inch version with a width of 2.2 inches. Naturally, the tyres are tubeless-ready.
Depending on your requirements, you can choose the standard or lite version. Both versions have a carcass with 120 threads per inch (tpi), but the Lite version does not have a sidewall reinforcement. The Lite tyre should only weigh 610 grams, while the standard tyre weighs around 660 grams according to the manufacturer. However, you should carefully weigh up whether you want to do without the extra protection: In the comparison test, the two models MTB H and MTB M with Prowall sidewall protection (standard) were in the midfield in terms of puncture protection.
Both versions are already available at selected retailers and cost 59.90 euros each. In addition to the normal versions, there is also a team edition with yellow lettering, which is otherwise identical.
