Pirelli has launched the Scorpion XC RC and M 100% ‘Made in Italy’ mountain bike tires, which are manufactured at Pirelli’s Milan-Bollate plant with Forest Stewardship Council-certified natural rubber.
Made for cross-country races, the tires have been designed for the toughest competitions but can also be used for a wide range of other cross-country applications, including light trail riding.
Race compound
The Scorpion XC RC and M tires use the latest RACE Compound, developed by Pirelli technicians in the Motorsport Compound division, and represent Pirelli’s “pinnacle of off-road performance in the XC discipline”, according to the tire maker.
Pirelli has said it is currently the best performing compound of its MTB XC range and has been designed to combine top chemical grip on wet surfaces, high tear resistance and greater rolling efficiency.
RC model
The RC model preserves and enhances the previous tread design. In Pirelli’s internal testing, it reduced rolling resistance by 7% compared to the previous model by the same name. The tire has been designed with a more squared profile on the shoulder knobs and a 29 x 2.4 true size volume (optimized for wide 30c rims) to provide greater control and stability in corners.
Pirelli says the updated profile improves the grip of the side tread blocks when leaning into corners and provides a “more immediate and responsive feeling in cornering”, as well as when hitting the brakes or spinning out of the pedals with greater rear traction.
M model
The M model has been redesigned to provide low rolling resistance and good grip. Pirelli’s internal testing has shown that the tire is 9% more rolling efficient than the previous model and 12% lighter. The Scorpion XC M is also produced in the size 29 x 2.4 volume on 30c rims.
Lite casing and ProWall
The Scorpion XC RC and M are available with two high-performing casings: the ProWall and the Lite. The Lite preserves “the well-known Pirelli characteristics of lightness and responsiveness”; and the ProWall has been redesigned and features an updated fabric distribution while retaining its 120 TPI Nylon, alongside reinforced sides to provide higher levels of protection and stability, especially with low inflation pressure levels.
In related news, Pirelli has launched the Cinturato Evo TLR, a successor to the Cinturato Velo
