CX/Gravel Tire Test: Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS SpeedCore 32

NOTE: This Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS 32 was tested as a CX-Gravel tire at low air pressures. You can also find tests of the 28 mm P Zero Race TLR RS in the road bike section.

The Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS is the latest addition to Pirelli's road bike tire lineup, and they claim it's their fastest and most grippy tire to date. The RS features the new SpeedCore casing, Pirelli's latest SmartEvo 2 compound, and it's made in their new factory in Italy. The RS replaces the old P Zero Race TLR SL (read review), which will not be available in the future.

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The concept of the P Zero Race TLR RS is similar to the old SL (lighter and faster), but Pirelli probably felt it was time for a new name because the SL never really convinced. RS now stands for Racing Speed, which clearly indicates the purpose of this tire.

The new RS is also available in the bigger 30 and 32-mm sizes, which we see as another improvement. We're going to take a look at the 32 mm P Zero Race TLR RS and compare it to the 32 mm versions of both the regular P Zero Race TLR SpeedCore and the P Zero Race TLR 4S, which make up the complete top end Pirelli road bike range.

You can also make the same comparison with the 28 mm versions of Pirelli's latest road bike tires in the road bike section, or use Pro View to compare all sizes and versions in a single overview!

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Pirelli
Model	P Zero Race TLR RS SpeedCore
Year	2024
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	Very High
Buy At	Ad Amazon.com
Manufacturer part number	4308800
EAN	8019227430882
TPI	120
Compound	SmartEvo 2
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	32-622
Specified Weight	335 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	87
Made In	Members Only
Available Sizes	26-622 (700x26c) 28-622 (700x28c) 30-622 (700x30c) 32-622 (700x32c)

Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS SpeedCore 32 Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	335 grams
Measured Weight	347 grams
Measured Width Casing	32 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	30 mm
Measured Height	29 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center	0.0 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	0.0 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	2.50 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall	Members Only
All size measurements are taken at low air pressure on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

Rolling Resistance Test Results

Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube	None (30 ml sealant)
Measured Width	32 mm
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 66 psi/4.6 bar 33-35 = 60 psi/4.1 bar 36-38 = 54 psi/3.7 bar 39-42 = 50 psi/3.4 bar 43-46 = 46 psi/3.2 bar 47-50 = 42 psi/2.9 barHigh Air Pressure (66 psi / 4.6 bar)	Members Only
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 55 psi/3.8 bar 33-35 = 50 psi/3.4 bar 36-38 = 45 psi/3.1 bar 39-42 = 42 psi/2.9 bar 43-46 = 38 psi/2.6 bar 47-50 = 35 psi/2.4 barMedium Air Pressure (55 psi / 3.8 bar)	Members Only
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 44 psi/3.0 bar 33-35 = 40 psi/2.8 bar 36-38 = 36 psi/2.6 bar 39-42 = 33 psi/2.3 bar 43-46 = 31 psi/2.1 bar 47-50 = 28 psi/1.9 barLow Air Pressure (44 psi / 3.0 bar)	13.2 Watts CRR: 0.00396
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 33 psi/2.3 bar 33-35 = 30 psi/2.1 bar 36-38 = 27 psi/1.9 bar 39-42 = 25 psi/1.7 bar 43-46 = 23 psi/1.6 bar 47-50 = 21 psi/1.4 barExtra Low Air Pressure (33 psi / 2.3 bar)	15.7 Watts CRR: 0.00471
The CX/Gravel 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	43 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Members Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness	2.50 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Members Only
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Members Only
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness	Members Only

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results

Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average	81 Points
Wet Grip Center	Members Only
Wet Grip Edge	Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center	0.0 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	0.0 mm
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 CX/Gravel grip test rim width = 23.0 mm
Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info)

Conclusion

The 32 mm version of the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS confirms our conclusion from the 28 mm test: the RS is a serious contender to replace the Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR (read review) as the gold standard road bike tire. The Pirelli's rolling resistance is very close to that of the Grand Prix 5000 S TR, but it has 10% better puncture resistance, 10% more tread thickness, and 10 to 15% more wet grip.

If you're looking for a fast 32 mm slick bike tire, you simply can't go wrong with the P Zero Race TLR RS, which features Pirelli's latest SpeedCore casing.

Ad Buy Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS SpeedCore at Amazon.com

RATING: 5.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Highly Recommended

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