PIRELLI SCORPION ENDURO R
Tester: Hayden Wright
Casing: Hardwall (1x60TPI) Compound: SmartGrip
Weight: 938g (27.5”)
Size: 27.5 x 2.4” (29” also available) Width on DT Swiss 30mm rim: 60mm PSI for testing: 28
RRP: $125
FESports.com.au
It is hard not to jump to conclusions when looking at a tyre which has such a unique tread pattern and profile as Pirelli’s Scorpion Enduro R (Rear). Ramped knobs, shallow tread depth and a rounded cross-section all scream fast rolling and hard-pack performance in my mind. Pirelli suggests the R is the ‘ideal tyre for balanced and varied riding.’ Maybe I have too quickly judged this book by its cover?
While there are 3 casing options for this tyre, the Hardwall version has a unique single-ply casing that is reinforced at the bead with a silicone insert like what is typically seen on downhill tyres. After a quick and easy mounting process this noticeably wide 2.4” tyre has been put to use on the rear of my enduro bike, in tandem with a Pirelli Scorpion Enduro M on the front as is recommended by Pirelli.
Undoubtedly, this is the fastest rolling tyre in this group test. After spending considerable time on the Goodyear Newton MTR and Pirelli Scorpion Enduro Race T, this tyre felt like a cheat code. My ride to the trail never felt easier, the fast flowy trails never felt more fun, and I was nudging some pedally PRs on Strava without much effort. This can be attributed to the low profile, ramped tread on the tyre. In particular, the R really came into its own on hardpack trails where the dense, firm rubber could really claw into the dirt giving a surprising amount of traction. Consistently spaced centre, intermediate and corner knobs also led to a predictable nature at lean angle. This tyre also takes the crown as the hardest wearing of any rear tyre I have used to date, which can again be attributed to the rubber compound and tread. At 27psi the casing had no fold lines or burps, and felt more supportive than Specialized’s Grid Trail casing, the other singly ply casing I had through the test. On the other side of the coin, I do feel this tyre is not suitable for varied riding as claimed by Pirelli. It lacks the braking and climbing performance of the more aggressive tyres on test, which led to a lack of confidence on the steepest terrain either up or down. On one particularly wet test ride I repeatedly got wheel spin while doing technical climbs.
Marketing claims be damned, the Pirelli Scorpion Enduro R is a fantastic option for those who ride hard-packed trails with moderate gradient. Given much of what we ride here in Australia fits that bill, I would be confident in saying this tyre would make a fantastic rear tyre for the majority of those reading this article. This tyre is almost scarily fast and brought life to trails which are usually muted when ridden with more aggressive, slower tyres. It is also hard wearing and light considering the amount of support given by the casing.