Pirelli presents Scorpion E-MTB electric mountain bike tyre

Pirelli Scorpion E-MTB

Pirelli has launched Scorpion E-MTB, its first line of electric mountain bike tyres. The manufacturer says the tyres are tailored to the needs of this type of bike, in which the engine assistance subjects the tyres to stress that is higher on average than traditional MTB tyres. It has put into practice its experiences with motor powered vehicles in the Scorpion E-MTB development. It adds that sustainability, so important in the design considerations for the tyre, is also the basis for its return to the cycling market.

The new Scorpion E-MTB tyres are Tubeless Ready, which are aimed at e-riders who are also lovers of the Trail and Enduro disciplines. The E-MTB tyres incorporate all the concepts already introduced in the other Scorpion tyre lines (XC, Trail, Enduro), where terrain consistencies, from compact to supple, become key factors for tread profiles designed for each specific surface conditions.

With the new line, Pirelli says it is one of the few bike tyre manufacturers in the world to offer a complete range of tyres dedicated to electric mountain bikes, which cover almost all disciplines as the new Scorpion E-MTB range offers three profiles: M for mixed terrain for trail and all mountain tracks; R (rear specific) gives more traction to the rear wheel, and a potential companion for the M; and S (soft terrain) for Enduro E-MTBs, providing increased traction on soft and supple grounds. The tyre’s tread has aggressive and very spaced blocks for high grip when cornering and braking.

Scorpion E-MTB characteristics

Pirelli Scorpion E-MTB

Pirelli’s SmartGRIP+ compound, the heart of the new tyres, is a reformulation of the compound developed by Pirelli for its Scorpion MTB tyres. It was produced in the Racing plants of the company, where the engineering of its Formula 1 tyre compounds also take place.

An innovative feature of this new formulation is the addition of Lignin to the basic composite of the SmartGRIP Compound. Lignin is a naturally sourced chemical component out of the craft pulping process of exhausted paper. Not only it is a low impact additive, but it also enhances performance in light of the unique speed and torque features associated with electric motors of modern E-MTB bikes. This performance enhancement comes with no compromise of the other characteristic of the SmartGRIP Compound formulation, which is the chemical grip.

The result is a version of the SmartGRIP which keeps its main characteristic of having superior dry and wet grip performances as well as Pirelli’s recognized excellence in craftsmanship. The rider benefits from enhanced tire performance, even under the higher speed and torque of E-MTB riding. This blend of properties designed by Pirelli was crafted to positively impact rolling as well as the grip performance over rough terrain, with better overall handling.

HyperWALL technology

Pirelli Scorpion E-MTB

The bead and sidewalls of the new Scorpion E-MTB tyres have been reinforced with HyperWALL (Patent Pending Pirelli) technology, also of motorsport derivation. The newly developed construction of the bead and sidewalls area further increases tyre performance in terms of stability and resistance to pinch-flats of the sidewalls. This is a key aspect, especially in off-road applications, in particular with the more demanding ones such as Gravity and E-MTB. Pirelli adds that the rubber compounds rely on the stability and integrity of the bead and sidewall themselves. Pirelli introduced a construction that solidly anchors the bead and the rubber sidewall insert with a woven fabric flipper, making them behave as one whole solid piece instead of as separate components. HyperWALL improves the stability of the bead (+10 per cent), offers greater protection against pinch-flats (+50 per cent) and better handling (+25 per cent), all according to Pirelli laboratory tests and field testing in Sicily.

Finally the tyre is among the lightest to contain similar levels of protection available on the market. The new Pirelli tyres offer reliability and protection from the typical pinching of a DH rubber, at a weight of about 20 per cent lower. The new tyre weights vary from 1.200g for the 27.5×2.6 to 1.330g for the 29×2.6 version.

Pirelli Scorpion E-MTB