Pirelli PZero 4S Race
The All-Weather Expert
Once in a while you test a tyre that seems to have it all. I’m quite fussy with my road tyres too, as I live and ride in the Yorkshire Dales, where the gravel edged roads are tight and twisty and take no prisoners. I want to feel safe, and it’s not always possible when you’re testing tyres. However, these new Pirelli all-weather tyres in the 26mm width are the cycle tyre equivalent of having Belgium Chocolate Cake from Jervaulx Abbey – they’re simply irresistible. So much so, that they’ve stayed on my bike longer than is necessary, and become my ‘go-to’ tyre for autumn and winter.
If you make one decision this autumn – get yourself along to the local bike shop and put these superb pieces of Italian rubber technology on your own bike. Time to find out why they’re so damn good…
Everyone knows that there’s so much more than rubber goes into making a great bicycle tyre. Thankfully, Pirelli have used their seemingly endless store of experience and knowledge in designing this rain defying tyre. I used the 26″ version, as to be honest, I don’t think that you need more, and less just doesn’t give you the same level of control. Even with the all-weather tread pattern, this tubeless ready tyre does its funky stuff and rolls at a decent speed, meaning that you’re not only safe on those tricky wet descents, but you’re reasonably fast too.
There’s a particular couple of hills that I use on my test route in the Dales, and it has 2 very narrow single track road descents on tight and twisty tarmac, sprayed with loose gravel and a very tight line available for safety. And yet, these 26 mm tyres have given me the confidence to fire up the Quattro and descend at speed and in reasonable comfort, with my safety down only to my own lack of skills.
The tyre picks up from the previous PZero Velo and is a further evolution of this best-selling all-season tyre. The new Smart EVO Compound from Pirelli enhances grip and performance on wet and cold tarmac, while the new TechBELT construction continues to provide the excellent handling and racing feeling that made the P ZERO™ family famous all over the world. It has a slightly thicker tread, which improves the mileage of the tyre, making it the ideal solution to cycle in every season without giving up on its racing soul. As I say, I’ve been using it for most of this year, and the wear has been excellent, maintaining performance throughout.
I don’t ordinarily add too much technical detail; however, it’s relevant to the fact that Pirelli have spent so much time in developing their tyres. And so, here’s what lies behind the superb grip and rolling that I’ve experienced over this year, and which you’ll benefit from this autumn and winter too.
Pirelli SmartNET™ Silica technology delivers high rolling efficiency, thanks to its natural anisotropic orientation, which reduces heating while increasing elasticity, to help minimise energy dissipation.
Enjoy highly reliable wet grip. The wide surface of the silica rod molecules enhances its natural water affinity, delivering confident handling on wet.
Puncture resistance and extensive mileage. Pirelli’s SmartNET™ Silica compound features microscopic rod-shaped particles, that are arranged systematically, rather than chaotically, creating a strong, long-lasting tyre.
The highest-performing tubeless-ready road casing in our range, with a unique design that adds an aramid band within the tyre’s rubber layer. This new structure adds strength and support to the tyre casing but retains a supple feel for minimal rolling resistance and maximum grip, compared to a tyre with a full bead-to-bead aramid construction. The tyre also features a 120tpi nylon casing for added puncture protection and maximum security.
If you’re looking at a reliable and fast rolling tyre to look after you in the colder and damper weather conditions, then this is definitely the tyre for you. Best of all, it’ll last you a good few miles, meaning that it’s also a cost-effective way of staying safe this winter. It could actually be my own personal favourite tyre.