Road Bike Tire Test: Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SL (TechWall) 28
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 11.3 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 46 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 73 Points
- Conclusion: 4.3 / 5 Highly Recommended
- Comments
- Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SL (TechWall) 28
(100% is best)
The Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SL SpeedCore was one of the winners of the October Pro Members voting round. Unfortunately, we wrongfully assumed the SL would be updated with the SpeedCore casing and new compound just like the regular Race TLR and Race TLR 4S, but after contacting Pirelli, it turns out the SL won't get that update.
Even though the Race TLR SL won't get the SpeedCore update, it's still an interesting tire. We tested the original P Zero Velo Race TLR SL (read our review) back in 2020, and Pirelli did update this tire somewhere in 2022 when they removed the "Velo" part in the name. Some people already requested this tire to get tested right after the name change but, other than the hookless rim compatibility for the 28-622 version, we weren't convinced there were actual changes made to the tire.
Ad Buy Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SL (TechWall) at Amazon.com
Our test results show otherwise, and it looks like Pirelli did update this tire in 2022. It's become a bit slower, but we see a stronger overall performance in our tests. When we compare the specifications on Pirelli's website between the old and new versions, we can't spot any changes, so we're unsure how much has changed. Our test results indicate the compound has been updated, or they changed from a dual compound to a single compound to increase wet grip.
They also dropped the 24-622 size, and the latest edition of the Race TLR SL is now available in just 2 sizes: 26-622 and 28-622. We don't see that as a problem, as the 25/26 size is the smallest you want to go with tubeless road bike tires. It even looks like most road bikers are moving up to the 28-622 tire size. Going forward, that will also be the primary size we'll test when new tires get released.
This is a test of the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SL in the 28-622 size, and we'll compare it to the 26-622 version of the old P Zero Velo Race TLR SL (read our review), the 28-622 regular P Zero Race TLR with the latest SpeedCore update (read our review), the 28-622 P Zero Race TLR 4S SpeedCore (read our review), and of course a selection of the best performing tires from the competition.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Pirelli |
| Model | P Zero Race TLR SL (TechWall) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Tire Type | Tubeless |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | Ad Amazon.com |
| Manufacturer part number | 3927800 |
| EAN | 8019227392784 |
| TPI | 120 |
| Compound | SmartEvo |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 28-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 28 |
| Specified Weight | 275 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 101 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
26-622 (700x26c) 28-622 (700x28c) |
Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SL (TechWall) 28 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 275 grams |
| Measured Weight | 288 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + valve + rim seal) |
308 grams |
| Measured Width | 29 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 25 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 2.6 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| Unmounted Casing Width | 71 mm |
| Unmounted Tread Width | Members Only |
| Tread Cover (Tread / Casing Ratio) | Members Only |
| 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 | 29 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 (108 psi / 7.4 bar) |
11.3 Watts CRR: 0.00339 |
| 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 (90 psi / 6.2 bar) |
12.2 Watts CRR: 0.00366 |
| 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 (72 psi /5.0 bar) |
Members Only |
| 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 (54 psi / 3.7 bar) |
Members Only |
| 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 | 46 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 | 2.6 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Members Only |
Static Grip Test Results
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | 73 Points |
| Wet Grip Center | Members Only |
| Wet Grip Edge | Members Only |
| Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 Road bike grip test rim width = 19.0 mm |
|
Conclusion
- Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SL (TechWall) 28
(100% is best)
Even though the SL version of the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR didn't get the SpeedCore update, it's still a strong-performing road bike tire. Compared to the previous "Velo" edition of the SL, the latest edition of the SL rolls a bit slower but offers better puncture resistance and improved wet grip, making it an overall better tire. The SL name now is a bit misleading though as we rate it as more of an all-round road bike tire than the "ultra-fast and light" feeling Pirelli pushes for this tire.
The real problem the P Zero Race TLR SL faces comes from the regular P Zero Race TLR (read our review) that did get the SpeedCore casing and compound update. The SpeedCore tires are a significant upgrade, and the regular Race TLR is the better tire over the Race TLR SL with the older TechWall casing, which makes it kind of redundant. These might be a good deal when you get a good price on them, but we're looking forward to a potential new tire from Pirelli that does live up to the fast and light expectations.
Ad Buy Pirelli P Zero Race TLR SL (TechWall) at Amazon.com
RATING:
4.3
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended