Pirelli Bike Tire Pressure — Correct Pressure for Pirelli Bicycle Tires
Pirelli P Zero Race in 700×25c runs 88–110 PSI tubed or 65–87 PSI tubeless. Cinturato Gravel M in 700×40c runs 28–48 PSI tubeless. Scorpion Trail H in 29×2.4 runs 18–27 PSI tubeless front. Scorpion Enduro M in 27.5×2.4 runs 16–24 PSI tubeless front and 18–26 PSI tubeless rear. Pirelli organises its MTB tires by terrain hardness (H/M/S) — the terrain suffix matters as much as the model name when setting pressure.
Pirelli Bicycle Tire Architecture — Casing and Terrain Variants
H/M/S terrain designations and ProWall casing — understanding Pirelli's naming system is the first step to correct pressure
Pirelli re-entered the bicycle tire market in 2017 and now produces a full range from road racing to gravity enduro. The naming system carries meaningful technical information that directly affects pressure guidance.
Terrain Designations — H, M, and S
Pirelli MTB and gravel tires carry terrain designations that describe both tread pattern and casing tuning:
- H (Hard): Faster-rolling tread, designed for hardpack and dry conditions. H-suffix tires often run 2–3 PSI higher than the equivalent M variant because hardpack rewards roll efficiency over conformance.
- M (Mixed): Balanced tread for mixed terrain. The midpoint PSI recommendation for most riders and most conditions.
- S (Soft): Open, aggressive tread for loose, muddy, or wet terrain. S-suffix tires run the lowest pressures of any given model — the open tread needs the casing to deform and conform to generate traction.
These designations apply independently to front and rear tires. Pirelli sells separate front and rear variants of the Scorpion Enduro and Trail lines, acknowledging that front and rear tires have different traction requirements.
ProWall Casing
ProWall is Pirelli's reinforced sidewall casing for mountain tires that need extra protection without full dual-ply construction. ProWall adds a layer of cut-resistant material to the sidewall without significantly increasing weight. Tires with ProWall designation can safely reach the lower end of the tubeless pressure range with less sidewall deformation risk than standard-casing equivalents. SpeedCore is the lightweight alternative — thinner sidewall, lighter, used on race-oriented XC tires.
SmartGrid Casing (E-MTB)
Scorpion E-MTB tires use SmartGrid, a reinforced casing built to handle the additional weight and torque of electric mountain bikes. SmartGrid adds lateral stiffness to resist the sidewall roll that e-bike chassis weight can cause at standard tubeless pressures. Scorpion E-MTB tires therefore run 2–4 PSI higher than acoustically equivalent Scorpion Trail tires for the same casing protection.
Pirelli Road Tire Pressure
P Zero Race and Cinturato Velo — high-pressure road tires with clear tubed and tubeless guidance
| Model | Width | Tubed PSI | Tubeless PSI | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P Zero Race | 700×23c | 95–120 | — | Road race, tubed only |
| P Zero Race | 700×25c | 88–110 | 65–87 | Road race |
| P Zero Race | 700×28c | 80–105 | 60–82 | Road race / training |
| P Zero Race TLR | 700×28c | — | 60–85 | Tubeless-first road tire |
| P Zero Race TLR | 700×32c | — | 55–78 | Road / light gravel |
| P Zero Velo | 700×25c | 85–115 | — | All-season road |
| P Zero Velo | 700×28c | 78–108 | — | All-season road |
| Cinturato Velo | 700×26c | 80–110 | — | Endurance road |
| Cinturato Velo | 700×28c | 75–100 | 55–78 | Road endurance |
| Cinturato Velo | 700×32c | 65–90 | 50–72 | Road / gravel |
Pirelli road tires mounted on hookless rims are subject to the ETRTO 72.5 PSI / 5.0 bar maximum. P Zero Race TLR and Cinturato Velo TLR are confirmed hookless-compatible within that limit. Verify with your rim manufacturer before inflating above 72.5 PSI on hookless wheels.
Pirelli Gravel Tire Pressure — Cinturato Gravel
Cinturato Gravel H, M, and S — terrain suffix changes the recommended pressure by 4–6 PSI
| Model | Width | Terrain | Tubeless PSI | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinturato Gravel H | 700×35c | Hard | 35–55 | Hardpack gravel / road |
| Cinturato Gravel H | 700×40c | Hard | 32–50 | Mixed gravel |
| Cinturato Gravel M | 700×35c | Mixed | 32–52 | Mixed terrain |
| Cinturato Gravel M | 700×40c | Mixed | 28–48 | Mixed gravel |
| Cinturato Gravel M | 700×45c | Mixed | 26–45 | Adventure gravel |
| Cinturato Gravel S | 700×40c | Soft | 28–46 | Loose / wet gravel |
| Cinturato Gravel S | 700×45c | Soft | 25–42 | Rough adventure |
| Cinturato Gravel S | 650b×47c | Soft | 22–40 | Bikepacking |
Cinturato Gravel tires are tubeless-first — Pirelli rates all variants for tubeless use. Running them with a tube adds 8–12 PSI above the tubeless figure. The SmartNET Silica compound used on Cinturato Gravel is optimised for lower pressures: the compound is calibrated to generate maximum rolling efficiency and grip when the casing is operating in its deformed, terrain-conforming state.
Pirelli MTB Tire Pressure — Scorpion XC and Trail
Scorpion XC for cross-country, Scorpion Trail for trail and all-mountain
| Model | Width | Terrain | Tubeless PSI | Discipline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scorpion XC H | 29×2.2 | Hard | 22–32 | XC race / hardpack |
| Scorpion XC H | 29×2.4 | Hard | 20–30 | XC / light trail |
| Scorpion XC M | 29×2.2 | Mixed | 20–30 | XC |
| Scorpion XC M | 29×2.4 | Mixed | 18–28 | XC / trail |
| Scorpion XC M | 27.5×2.2 | Mixed | 20–30 | XC |
| Scorpion Trail H | 29×2.4 | Hard | 20–28 | Trail front |
| Scorpion Trail H | 27.5×2.4 | Hard | 20–28 | Trail |
| Scorpion Trail S | 29×2.4 | Soft | 16–24 | Trail front / loose |
| Scorpion Trail S | 27.5×2.4 | Soft | 16–24 | Trail loose terrain |
| Scorpion Trail R | 29×2.4 | Rear | 20–29 | Rear-specific trail |
Pirelli MTB Tire Pressure — Scorpion Enduro and E-MTB
Scorpion Enduro's front/rear separation and E-MTB's reinforced casing change the pressure picture
| Model | Width | Terrain | Tubeless PSI | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scorpion Enduro M | 29×2.4 | Mixed | 18–26 | Front |
| Scorpion Enduro M | 27.5×2.4 | Mixed | 16–24 | Front |
| Scorpion Enduro R | 29×2.4 | Rear | 20–28 | Rear |
| Scorpion Enduro R | 27.5×2.4 | Rear | 18–26 | Rear |
| Scorpion Enduro Hard Wall | 27.5×2.4 | Mixed | 18–26 | Front (HW casing) |
| Scorpion Enduro Hard Wall | 29×2.6 | Mixed | 17–25 | Front (wide) |
| Scorpion E-MTB S | 29×2.6 | Soft | 20–28 | E-MTB front/rear |
| Scorpion E-MTB R | 29×2.4 | Rear | 22–30 | E-MTB rear |
| Scorpion E-MTB M | 27.5×2.6 | Mixed | 20–28 | E-MTB all-mountain |
Pirelli's E-MTB tires run 2–4 PSI higher than their acoustic equivalents. This is a deliberate design choice — the SmartGrid casing is built for the system weight of a full e-MTB (typically 22–28 kg bike weight plus rider) and requires higher pressure to maintain proper casing geometry under the additional load.
Frequently Asked Questions
What PSI for Pirelli P Zero Race in 700×25c?
Pirelli P Zero Race 700×25c runs 88–110 PSI tubed or 65–87 PSI tubeless. A 70 kg road rider typically runs 95–105 PSI tubed on training rides, dropping to 85–90 PSI on longer endurance days for extra comfort. Tubeless, 68–78 PSI gives good roll efficiency. Hookless rim users must cap at 72.5 PSI regardless of sidewall print.
What PSI for Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M in 700×40c?
Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M 700×40c runs 28–48 PSI tubeless. For typical mixed gravel, a 70 kg rider starts at 32–38 PSI. Loose or wet gravel: 28–32 PSI. Hardpack and fire roads: 40–48 PSI. The M designation is the best all-rounder — H runs 3–4 PSI higher, S runs 3–4 PSI lower for the same tire size.
What does the H, M, S suffix mean on Pirelli tires?
H (Hard), M (Mixed), and S (Soft) designate the intended terrain. H tires have a faster-rolling tread and run 2–4 PSI higher than M for the same size. S tires have an open, aggressive tread and run 2–4 PSI lower than M. The terrain designation affects both tread pattern and the optimal pressure window — it is not just a tread style label.
What PSI for Pirelli Scorpion Trail enduro tires?
Pirelli Scorpion Enduro M in 29×2.4 runs 18–26 PSI tubeless front and Scorpion Enduro R (rear-specific) runs 20–28 PSI tubeless rear. Most enduro riders run front 2–3 PSI below rear. Start at 20 PSI front and 23 PSI rear for a 75 kg rider on mixed enduro terrain, then adjust by 1–2 PSI per 10 kg of body weight.
Do Pirelli bicycle tires work on hookless rims?
Yes, current Pirelli TLR-rated tires (P Zero Race TLR, Cinturato Gravel, Scorpion MTB) are ETRTO-certified for hookless rim use within the 72.5 PSI / 5.0 bar limit. MTB and gravel tires operate well below this threshold — the hookless limit only affects road tires. Verify the TLR designation on the sidewall before mounting on hookless rims.
How do Pirelli E-MTB tires differ in PSI from standard MTB tires?
Pirelli Scorpion E-MTB tires run 2–4 PSI higher than equivalent acoustic Scorpion Trail tires of the same size. The SmartGrid casing is stiffer and designed to handle total e-bike system weight (bike plus rider, typically 90–130 kg combined). Running E-MTB tires at standard acoustic MTB pressure risks sidewall collapse under the additional load.
Related Guides
The Complete Bike Tire Pressure Guide
Master reference covering PSI for every bike type — road, MTB, gravel, e-bike, fat bike, and tubeless setups.
Pirelli Tubeless Tire Pressure Guide
Tubeless-specific PSI tables for Cinturato Gravel, P Zero Race TLR and Scorpion MTB tires.
Gravel Bike Tire Pressure Guide
Pressure tables for gravel riding by tire width, surface type, and tubeless vs tubed setup.
Mountain Bike Tire Pressure Guide
XC, trail, enduro, and DH pressure recommendations with casing and width adjustments.
Continental Bike Tire Pressure
GP5000, Terra Trail, Trail King and more — Continental bicycle tire PSI tables by model and discipline.