Pirelli takes cycling range off-road with Scorpion MTB
The Scorpion MTB is available in four terrain-specific models
In the two years since returning to the cycling world with its PZero Velo range, Pirelli has built up a portfolio of bicycle tyres that is sold in 42 countries. It has now extended this portfolio with the introduction of its first mountain bike tyre range, the Pirelli Scorpion MTB. The market launch for the first Pirelli Scorpion MTB products is scheduled for this month.
The name is a nod to the successful Scorpion motocross tyre, a product associated with more than 70 world titles. When developing the Scorpion MTB, the Pirelli Velo team focused on solutions for specific types of terrain and application, and the new mountain bike range is thus available in four models. These are:
• The Scorpion H (Hard Terrain – red), which is dedicated to hard terrains, compact surfaces and surfaces with embedded rocks.
• The Scorpion M (Mixed Terrain – yellow) is best suited to mixed terrains, where changes can be unpredictable or sudden, from hard-packs to sand, pebbles and roots.
• The Scorpion S (Soft Terrain – light blue) is at its best on soft surfaces.
• The Scorpion R (Rear Specific – green) offers more traction to the rear wheel and was developed with mixed terrains in mind.
Pirelli says the “heart” of its mountain bike tyre technology is the SmartGRIP Compound. “Thanks to this specific compound, the variable of climate or temperature does not affect the performance of the new tyres at all,” comments the tyre maker, adding that the compound “closes the gap between tear resistance and wet grip.”
Tread patterns across the Scorpion MTB range draw upon Pirelli’s motocross experience: The: shape and height of the knobs, distance, cross-links and angles have been studied to maximise the tyre footprint’s efficiency on specific terrains.
Swift growth of ‘Velo’ portfolio
Pirelli’s history of bicycle tyre dates back to 1895, however the company exited the business in the late 1980s and didn’t return until a new cycling business unit, Pirelli Velo, introduced the PZero Velo in June 2017. This was followed by the Cinturato tubeless ready road tyre in June 2018 and the Cycl-e range for urban/e-bikes the following month.
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