In this article I will share my experiences so far of the Pirelli P-Zero Race TT road tire that I’ve put on my Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 9.0 for Alpe d’HuZes 2025. I just wanted to try something new to see how these tires compare against Specialized S-Woks Turbo T2/T5 tires.
Key features Pirelli P-Zero Race TT road tires
On the product page of the Pirelli P-Zero Race TT road tires you can read the following product description:
Made for those who race against the clock in time trials or triathlons. Pirelli P-ZERO Race TT has been developed in collaboration with our professional athletes using our most advanced compound derived from the world of elite motorsports. This SmartEVO compound, paired with a superlight 120tpi casing makes the Race TT the fastest, lightest tube-type tyre in our portfolio for when every second counts!
For my participation in Alpe d’Huzes 2025 I’ve purchased a set of the P-Zero Race TT tires. In the week of the event these tires have seen 30+ degrees Celsius dry conditions, as well as 12 degrees and super rainy and wet conditions. Not a single puncture since the event on 05-06-2025 !
Compared to the Specialized S-Works Turbo folding tires, in combination with the FFWD F2A clincher wheels, the Pirelli P-Zero Race TT road tires are easier to install. The steel cable in the Specialized S-Work Turbo folding tires is much tighter, and thus harder to install. Sometime the Schwalbe Tire Levers with rim clip need to support the installation of the Specialized S-Works Turbo folding tires. The Pirelli P-Zero road tires can simply be worked on without any additional tool help. Good to know on the side of the road … in case you would puncture
I’ve had plenty of grip when using the P-Zero Race TT road tires in the slopes of the Alpe d’Huez. Cornering was rock solid and very stable, in combination with the Pirelli RoadTube Butyl Inner tubes. In the more rolling terrain I use the TPU Inner Tubes below (and where the Craft Cadence TPU Inner Tube would probably have worked in the Alps as well).
- RideNow TPU Inner Tubes for Road and MTB
- Cyclami TPU Inner Tube for Gravel, Road & MTB
- Craft Cadence TPU Inner Tube for Road and Gravel
Grip, handling, puncture resistance, the Pirelli P-Zero Race does it all. It is the choice of World Tour team Alpecin–Deceuninck in 2025, where Pirelli is one of the main partners.
Concluding thoughts and wrap-up
The price point of the Pirelli P-Zero Race TT road tire is roughly € 39,00 which is a very reasonable price for a folding tire. The weather conditions for Alpe d’HuZes 2025 varied from extreme rain and wet to very warm and dry conditions. On both ends of this spectrum the SmartEvo compound worked really well, with solid grip when cornering and no punctures at all.
Compared to the Specialized S-Works Turbo folding tires the steel cable seem to be more cyclist friendly, making installation much easier on the DT Swiss RR411 rims of the FFWD F2A wheels. The Pirelli P-Zero Race TT road tire is a solid choice that can easily compete with Continental GP 5000, Specialized S-Works Turbo or Vittoria Corsa Pro tires.
Pirelli P-Zero is the choice of Mathieu van der Poel and World Tour team Alpecin–Deceuninck in 2025.
- Have you used Pirelli P-Zero tires ? If so what do you think ?
- If not, what other brand and model tires are you using ? And I would love to know why ?
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