Pirelli release new 2.4" Scorpion XC RC MTB tyre
The Pirelli Scorpion range of MTB tyres grows with a new wider option for the fast crowd.
In early 2019, Pirelli jumped into the mountain bike tyre game, and they've been growing their Pirelli Scorpion mountain bike tyre range since then. While the initial launch had their 2.2" and 2.4" tyres available, this range was always going to expand. And that's exactly what it has done since then, with Pirelli Scorpion Trail and Enduro tyres, eMTB and some very fast Pirelli Scorpion XC RC 2.2" tyres developed in conjunction with the Trek-Pirelli mountain bike team. And now, Pirelli have released a wider 2.4" version of the Pirelli Scorpion XC RC tyre.
(Pirelli are also working with Fabian Barel on some top secret gravity things… so watch this space!)
Catch up on the Pirelli Scorpion range
TESTED: Pirelli Scorpion Trail and Enduro tyres
TESTED: Pirelli Scorpion eMTB tyres
TESTED: Pirelli Scorpion 2.4" LITE XC tyres
TESTED: Pirelli Scorpion XC RC 2.2" tyres
I spent most of last winter and part of spring riding the 2.2" Pirelli Scorpion XC RC tyres, in both the Lite and ProWall versions. Both have the 120tpi (threads per inch) casings, but the ProWall has extra sidewall reinforcing. This obviously helps puncture resistance, but I found it also made for a more stable tyre under load – be that for a heavier rider, higher speeds or increased cornering load. Pirelli designed these tyres for high end cross-country racing, for an expert rider who can eek every bit of performance out of their bike and body.
After seeing the Trek-Pirelli team with tyres labeled 'prototype' earlier this year, it was confirmed that the Scorpion XC RC was coming out in a 2.4" width, and I received some to test in late June.
Just like the 2.2" Pirelli Scorpion XC RC, the 2.4" are available in the LITE casing and ProWall. Both are Team tyres, which means they have the yellow sidewall logos – these are probably a must for true Pirelli fans.
A closer look at the Pirelli Scorpion XC RC 2.4" tyres
In a sense, nothing has changed with the tyres, except size. The tread pattern is the same, with a close centre tread, two sets of transition knobs that have a very broad base of support (for less squirm) and then the siped edge knobs, which operate at two levels at the edge, so they're not all or nothing.
Looking closely, you can see that while there is lots of grip for acceleration, the shape that the transition knobs form also suits braking traction, to make sure you have the control you need.
With this tread pattern, the tyres are aimed at use on rocky terrain and on hardpack, as they don't have the tread depth for looser terrain or wet, loose terrain. One of the Mixed conditions tyres in the 2.2 or 2.4 options would be a better fit for those conditions. However, the Scorpion XC RC are designed for going fast when used by a capable rider, and the larger tyre volume can assist by providing a bigger footprint than the 2.2" models. And funnily enough – the larger tyres are a little lighter as well.
The Scoprion XC RC LITE in 29×2.4" weighed 632g compared to 650g claimed, while the ProWall model weighed 671g compared to 700g claimed. The 2.2" ProWall model weighed over 700g (660g claimed) when I fitted one back up for comparison, and the 2.2" LITE weighs 608g, which is true to the 610g claimed.
Pirelli did state that their 2.2" tyres were designed around rims with a 25mm internal width, and 2.4" for rims with a 30mm internal width. I put both the new Scorpion XC RC 2.4" onto rims with a 30mm inner width and they inflated to 59.5mm. I put the 2.2" XC RC ProWall onto another 30mm internal rim and it inflated to 58.3mm – which really isn't far off.
As a comparison, I've found the new Maxxis 2.4" WT tyres to be fairly varied, with the Aspen measuring sub 60mm while the Rekon Race is around 62mm. It's said that hooked vs hookless rims will change how the tyre sits, but Pirelli have produced a table to show how the different models inflate, depending on the width of your rim.
I took all three wheel sets to the trails in my van, and did a singletrack and fire trail loop on each, with 19psi in the front and 20psi in the back.
While I rode the same trails, the data in terms of timing or normalised power doesn't really show much – but ride feedback did. Firstly, the Scorpion XC RC 2.4" LITE model has the same characteristics as before, in that it is really supple. It was far and away the most comfortable tyre on the rougher sections of a fire trail climb. And it was great on mellow singletrack as well, but compressing into berms and dropping into chutes it felt a little less certain.
I changed to the Scorpion XC RC 2.4" with ProWall, and you then have the added sidewall reinforcing which makes a difference to tread support. It doesn't feel like a piece of wood on rough terrain but it's not as supple as the LITE model, and it is far more stable when pushing into corners. I even did a pretty good Strava time on a fast rocky chute with these ones on. All said, it was a better tyre for going faster on singletrack.
Finally I did have the Scorpion XC RC 2.2" ProWall fitted up to the Roval 6B XD wheels I'm currently testing. And while the tread was a little worn, they were still really good, just a tiny bit smaller than the 2.4" models.
Since then I have ridden the Scorpion XC RC 2.4" ProWall models a lot more. And while they're ok on loose over hardpack, it's not where they excel. They're still mostly suited to rock and hardpack. There was some rain around and again, they're ok on wet roots but it's not the main terrain they are designed for.
I want to put more time on the tyres, but at the moment I think they have improved the overall offering for Pirelli. I really liked the size of their 2.4" range, but wanted something to come in under 700g. And that's exactly where the 2.4" Pirelli Scorpion XC RC fit.
I'd certainly take a look at these as a race tyre for events like Cape to Cape, the Convict 100, even the Otway Odyssey. They would also partner well with some of the 2.4" Lite range like the Mixed or Hard conditions, in a mixed pair for the right conditions. But like the Maxxis Aspen and the Schwalbe Racing Ralph, it's worth remembering these tyres are designed for racing, they're not your best choice for a fast trail tyre – I would look elsewhere in the range for that.
I'll have a full review in Issue #191 of AMB, once I have spent a couple of months riding on them.
RRP: $99.99
From: FE Sports
