If the only thing Pirelli changed about their line of gravity mountain bike tires was the name, that alone would have been a win. The Italian brand had used a confusing letter system to distinguish the treads across its Scorpion mountain bike tires, from XC to DH. Now, all the MTB tires are still named Scorpion, but the gravity range gets clever species names for each tread to set them apart.
Beyond the name changes, the treads have been re-engineered, and Pirelli is now offering more casing/compound combos so riders can pick the right tire for the job. Here’s a preview of the new models and their intended use.
Pirelli Scorpion Black Sting: Hardpack, fast roller
The Pirelli Scorpion Black Sting tire — designed for dry hardpack riding — is inspired by the desert scorpion. The tighter-packed kobs are said to be fast-rolling and optimized for “speed, precision and responsiveness.” Unlike the other two Scorpion gravity tires here, this one features an all-new tread pattern Pirelli has not used before.
Pirelli Scorpion Emperor: All-rounder
Emperor scorpions “are known for their docile behavior and almost harmless sting,” according to Wikipedia, which I suppose is a good way to describe this all-around-conditions tire. The Emperor is basically a remake of the Enduro Race M, which was designed for mixed terrain. It basically mashes up the characteristics of the Black Sting above and the Red Claw below.
Pirelli Scorpion Red Claw: Loose-over-hard conditions
The Tanzanian Red Clawed Scorpion (the arachnid, not the tire) is typically found in humid rainforests, and the Redclaw tire is designed to thrive in somewhat similar conditions. The chunky, widely spaced tread pattern is designed for “loose-over-hard conditions, dusty terrain and off-camber sections,” according to Pirelli. The pattern appears similar, if not identical, to the Scorpion Race Enduro T tire it replaces.
The Redclaw is the closest thing Pirelli has to a wet-conditions tire at the moment, though the brand stops short of claiming it’s a mud tire.
It’s also worth noting that none of the new Pirelli gravity tires are listed as directional. Previously, the brand offered the Enduro R as a rear-specific tire, though it doesn’t appear that tread pattern has been brought over to the new line.
Compounds and casings
Pirelli is offering a wide range of sizes, compounds, and casings in the new Scorpion line, with widths ranging from 2.4″ to 2.6″ and in both 27.5″ and 29″ diameters.
The supersoft compound is recommended for front-wheel use, though the brand says it’s also good for racing situations and particularly challenging terrain. All Scorpion tires in the gravity line are mono-compound, which suggests the center treads will wear out long before the side knobs unless you’re only riding berms.
There are four levels of casings in the Scorpion gravity lineup: Prowall, Hardwall, Dualwall, and DHWall. DHWall, the most heavily reinforced casing, and Dualwall, the second burliest casing, are available on all three tires. Hardwall and Prowall casings are only available on the Black Sting and Emperor tires. Pirelli says these casings cover the gamut from trail riding to enduro and downhill.
According to press materials available ahead of the launch, tire weights depend heavily on the casing choice. Prowall tires see weights below 1,100g, Hardwalls are between 1,200 and 1,300g, and Dualwalls weigh between 1,200 and 1,300g. DHWall tires are the heaviest, tipping the scales at 1,300g+.
US pricing for the updated Pirelli Scorpion gravity tires ranges from $77.90 to $116.90.
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