Pirelli promotes the historical connection between motocross and supercross, which has filtered down to its very best mountain bike tyres. Within the XC line of Pirelli tyres, the Scorpion XC S has probably the most in common with that connection, featuring an open tread pattern, designed for softer terrain.
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Pirelli Scorpion XC S tyres – Technical details
The 2.4in (60-622) version pictured here has an actual weight of 823g, which is almost the same as the claimed 825g figure. The tyre was used on the front wheel and fitted to a set of Reynolds TR309 Carbon with a 28mm ID – they inflated exactly to the stated width.
They were easy to mount and inflate, and the carcass and folding bead had enough flexibility that made fitting Tubolight tyre inserts reasonably pain-free.
The Scorpion XC S features a single compound construction, as opposed to other manufacturers that offer a double or even triple compound. Pirelli claims that a single compound provides the most constant performance throughout the lifecycle, even when the edge knobs begin to wear away. The ProWALL sidewall structure offers sidewall puncture protection and claims to provide enhanced stability at lower tyre pressures.
Pirelli Scorpion XC S tyres – Performance
On solid ground, the noise is apparent right away and there is a distinct drone while rolling yet, while this can sometimes signal a slow tyre, the XC S surprises and rolls without a huge amount of resistance. It isn’t as fast as a race tyre, and it’s not designed to be, but for general XC use, most riders will be happy with the rolling speed.
Riding off-road and on trails in typical winter conditions, the tyre performed brilliantly with consistent grip on wet trail centre surfaces. They rolled well on both rocky tracks and softer terrain. The taller tread depth and softer compound are noticeable compared to the more race-focused tyres but the tread edge does not compress under load to the point where the tyre feels like it is rolling over the rim.
While the carcass has a 120tpi structure (which is higher than some tyres), it should improve comfort and better conform to the trail surface. The sidewalls are less supple compared to other race-oriented cross-country tyres, which is due, in part, to the sidewall protection. Most riders who are likely to use this as a general all-round tyre, especially in typical British wet conditions, will find the extra puncture protection to be worth the impacted feel.
The added sidewall protection may be helpful and provide some additional support. As a result, I was using lower tyre pressures than usual and the tyres remained stable and supportive on the downhills. The stability is not as high as that of a more enduro or downhill-focused tyre but surpasses other cross-country and trail tyres.
Because of the limited feedback, it may take some time to gain confidence in the level of grip provided but, the more I used these tyres, the more they impressed me, returning superlative grip levels in most conditions.
As the name implies, the XC S is intended for softer surfaces, such as loamy trails. I loved how they held on when riding in muddy ruts and provided more than enough grip to hold a line on steeper terrain, too. The tread design and depth are less extreme than those of a mud-specific tyre but the result is one of the best all-round mountain bike tyres on the market.
Pirelli Scorpion XC S tyres – Verdict
The Pirelli Scorpion XC S proved to be a dependable and capable tyre to use throughout the winter, on trails and conditions ranging from typical trail centre riding to muddy off-piste terrain. For riders looking for a front tyre that has good grip and isn’t too heavy for longer rides, this could be a great choice.
At £60, it isn’t cheap and, for cross-country riders who would normally spend more on reducing weight or rolling resistance, it may be a hard sell. For reference, the slightly more trail-focused Specialized Butcher Grid Trail T9 Soil Searching are only £45.
The price is one of the only drawbacks, as the Scorpion XC S provides excellent all-around performance, with consistent levels of grip and confidence. It’s an excellent choice for riders who prefer longer rides or simply want a faster rolling tyre that stands up to a wide range of conditions and surfaces.
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Product purpose:
Aggressive tyre for extreme racing and training in loose conditions, from dry sand to sticky mud. The tall profile and widely spaced tread pattern cuts into and grips any kind of loose or soft terrain. The Scorpion™ XC S is the preferred choice for any course with soft terrain where grip and predictability are the key factors.
Build extra:
Size: 60-622 (2.4”)
Weight: 825g
TPI: 120
Casing: ProWALL
COMPOUND, CASING, TECHNOLOGIES
What’s the secret to our tyres? Let’s take a look at some of the motorsport-derived technologies applied to our cycling tyres
Decades of victories in Motocross and Rally competitions around the world led our engineers to the development of a new innovative rubber formulation: the SmartGRIP Compound for the Scorpion™ MTB which blends together opposite features:
– Tear resistance for the maximum mechanical grip on dry and wet surfaces together with the maximum resistance against punctures;
– Chemical grip on wet terrain for unconditional riding in any kind of weather;
The SmartGRIP Compound is the result of an extensive process of research and development that led us to absolute performances in either dry and wet conditions. We chose a single compound formulation in order to achieve the most consistent performances throughout the entire lifespan of the tyre even when the knobs start to wear off
The ProWALL features a sidewall protection that enhances the puncture resistance and the handling at low inflation pressure. The sidewall is reinforced with an extra layer of nylon that increases the resistance against penetration and cuts while stabilizing the tyre at low inflation pressure for a confident ride over any kind of terrain. The ProWALL is a solid option for XC racing, trail riding and enduro when paired with different carcass constructions, namely of 120 and 60tpi.
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