THE DIRT
Although I have ridden eight separate pairs of the Pirelli Emperor and Blacksting tires, I haven’t put a single set of these through enough trail time to constitute a long-term review. Even so, the combination of my trail time on the eight bikes from our upcoming Enduro mountain bike group test has given me a solid impression of the performance of Pirelli’s new and updated line, and I’ve managed to confirm my thoughts with the impressions of a handful of other riders, too.
Getting the Pirelli tires mounted up to the test bikes was uneventful, much to my relief with eight sets to fit. The tire beads had a tight – but not too tight – fit across all of the wheels, and inflation was possible with a quick blast from a tubeless inflator track pump. At the same time, there were no issues with tire burping under hard riding at relatively low pressures, so Pirelli has hit the sweet spot for their rim fit.
The first ride on a brand-new set of tires rarely delivers maximum traction, with the mold release agent typically taking some trail time to wear off and leave the pure rubber behind. This was notable on the Pirelli Scorpion gravity tires, which required a couple of runs before they delivered anywhere near their full traction. Once bedded in, the Emperor Super Soft Hardwall and Black Sting Soft DH+ Wall made for an excellent combination for the mixed trail conditions of the Scottish late summer.
Predictability and confidence were delivered as soon as they were bedded in sufficiently, and this Pirelli tire combination left our crew with unanimous positive impressions. There was no learning curve required to understand the edge of traction or any elements of their character, feeling instantly familiar. They offered adequate support down at 25 psi front and 27.5 psi rear for 220lbs (98kg) Rob, and 22psi front and 25psi rear for 160lbs (72kg) Graham. We sustained no severe rim strikes or undesirable tire rolling under high loads. At these pressures, they delivered a settled and planted feeling on the trail, with medium-to-high damping and comfort. They were not the most “dead” or wooden-feeling tires out there, but felt suitably damped to deliver the reassurance typical of gravity tires.
The Emperor’s all-round tread pattern delivered excellent confidence across the spread of trail scenarios and conditions faced towards the end of summer. Transitioning from loose dry dirt with frequent shale patches forming at the bottom of compressions and inside of turns, through hero dirt and into occasional patches of mud, the Emperor struck a great balance of penetration and support. The absence of a float zone gave a smooth transition when leant over and good traction regardless of the camber of the terrain, yet retained enough bite for the most aggressive lean angles.
The Super Soft rubber was sticky and damped, but the knobs had adequate support to remain predictable in hardpack under high loads. The Super Soft compound still doesn’t quite have the smeary, ultra-slow rebound of some competitors, but it comes close, and retains more energy as a result.
The Black Sting proved to be an excellent rear tire option to balance characteristics, rolling relatively quickly in the soft compound, but still generating enough braking and cornering traction to instill confidence. In the softer conditions, they didn’t shed mud the best, so traction levels dropped once the ground became more saturated, but this will likely not come as a surprise. In the dry and loose they faired well, with ample edges to slow down, and good bite on the shoulder knobs.
The Soft compound felt energetic, still giving a reasonable level of traction and damping, but with a medium rebound speed and solid wear life through all the skids.
On an enduro bike, rolling speed is nearly as important as descending confidence, so it was a pleasure to discover that these burly gravity tires rolled in a relatively efficient manner. They lacked the level of drag that can suck the speed out of the trail, retaining the desire to pedal back up the relatively mellow gradient fire roads that the local trails are typically accessed by. On these fire roads, a draggy set of tires becomes immediately apparent, and this Pirelli Scorpion pairing avoided standing out for the wrong reasons. As a combination, the Emperor Super Soft Hardwall and Black Sting Soft DH Wall offered a perfect setup to balance traction in mixed conditions, rolling speed, and casing durability and weight.
Through all of the abuse, we only sustained one issue, with a freak sharp rock digging deep into the carcass on one Black Sting rear tire and cutting into the knob and requiring a plug. Otherwise, the Pirelli tires held up amicably to the punishment and presented zero concerns for durability.
So far, we’ve been very impressed by Pirelli’s updated Scorpion lineup, and we’re looking forward to many more laps with these tires to assess their long-term durability and performance in a wider variety of trail scenarios.
PIRELLI CYCLING INTRODUCES THE ALL-NEW SCORPION GRAVITY RANGE
A completely redesigned line-up covering every gravity discipline, from trail riding to elite downhill racing. A new, simplified naming system helps riders choose the right tyre. Three tread patterns: Black Sting, Emperor and Red Claw.
The new range has been developed with direct input from three-time Downhill World Champion Fabien Barel.
Pirelli unveils the new SCORPIONTM Gravity range, developed specifically for gravity riding. Covering everything from trail riding to enduro, freeride and downhill racing, this MTB line-up has been completely redesigned, introducing a new product naming system designed to help every rider identify the best tyre set-up to suit their needs. The new range significantly expands the number of combinations available compared with the previous line, allowing every rider to find the ideal solution for their riding style and discipline, thanks to the different casing and compound options available for each model.
The new naming structure follows three straightforward steps: first, choosing the tread pattern, identified by three different scorpion species, each representing a distinct terrain and riding style; second, selecting the casing according to the desired level of support and protection; and finally, choosing the compound (Medium, Soft or Supersoft) to achieve the optimum balance of grip, rolling efficiency and durability.
The new range architecture introduces three tread pattern names – Black Sting, Emperor and Red Claw – each inspired by a different scorpion species. Every name reflects the characteristics and natural habitat of the scorpion it represents, creating a direct association with the riding conditions and riding style for which the tyre has been designed. Every scorpion has its own environment, and every Pirelli SCORPION tyre has its own natural habitat too.
THE TREAD PATTERNS: THREE SCORPIONS, THREE DISTINCT CHARACTERS
Black Sting is inspired by the scorpions that inhabit deserts and arid environments. Fast-rolling and responsive, this all-new tread pattern has been developed for riders looking for speed, precision and responsiveness. Its new design combines low rolling resistance with controlled braking performance, making it particularly suited to hardpack and firm, compact terrain, where stability under high loads and at high speed is essential. Its riding character is solid, direct and responsive.
Emperor is the most versatile tread pattern in the range. It builds on the highly regarded tread design of the previous RACE M but has been completely re-engineered. Like the Emperor scorpion, known for thriving across diverse environments, it is the true all-rounder of the range. Designed to perform across mixed terrain and changing trail conditions, it delivers an outstanding balance of traction, control and rolling efficiency. Its riding character is balanced, predictable and versatile, making it the ideal choice for riders looking for one tyre that performs across a broad range of conditions.
Finally, Red Claw is inspired by tropical scorpions that thrive in wet, humid environments, making it the tyre of choice for riders seeking maximum traction and control. Based on the previous RACE T tread pattern, it has been further optimised for loose-over-hard conditions, dusty terrain and off-camber sections. It delivers a stable, confidence-inspiring ride even when the trail becomes challenging. Its riding character is supportive, controlled and focused on delivering maximum traction, both through corners and under braking.
THE CASINGS: FOUR LEVELS OF PROTECTION
The new platform introduces an evolution of Pirelli’s four casing constructions, all now fully eMTB-ready, making them suitable for both conventional and electric mountain bikes, whether Light eMTBs or Full Power models.
- ProWALL is the lightest casing in the range to feature sidewall protection, with weights ranging from 700 to 900 g. It is designed for riders looking for responsiveness and climbing efficiency, while maintaining a smooth, precise ride without compromising reliability and confidence on the descents.
- HardWALL provides full structural support together with additional reinforcement that helps reduce the risk of pinch flats from hard rim strikes. Weighing between 900 and 1,100 g, it has been developed to offer greater stability and impact resistance than ProWALL, while remaining efficient to pedal and responsive even in demanding terrain.
- DualWALL is designed for more aggressive riding, including enduro racing, bike-park riding and freeride, with weights ranging from 1,100 to 1,300 g. Built around a dual-ply construction, it has been engineered to maximise stability, protection and durability in the toughest gravity applications.
- DH+ WALL represents the highest level of protection in the range and is the casing of choice for top-level Downhill racing, with weights ranging from 1,300 to over 1,500g. It also features a dual-ply construction, but uses even tougher base fabrics than DualWALL, together with additional sidewall and bead reinforcement, engineered to withstand the biggest hits and highest loads of elite DH racing.
THE COMPOUNDS: INSPIRED BY MOTORSPORT
Completing the selection process, Pirelli offers three compounds with a naming system that is instantly recognisable and deeply rooted in its motorsport heritage: Medium, Soft and Supersoft, identified by the brand’s iconic colour codes – Yellow, Red and Purple, respectively.
- MEDIUM delivers the ideal balance of grip, comfort and durability, making it a strong choice for riders looking for predictable, long-lasting performance.
- SOFT has been developed to provide intuitive handling and consistent grip in both dry and wet conditions, without compromising durability. Designed for aggressive riding, it delivers downhill-ready performance while maintaining excellent control and longevity, even under intensive use.
- SUPERSOFT is the compound engineered for the most demanding conditions, offering the highest levels of grip together with outstanding vibration damping and impact absorption. It provides highly intuitive and confidence-inspiring feedback, allowing experienced riders to push right to the limit. It delivers maximum grip, both in dry and wet conditions, while also offering the highest level of damping. Although ideally suited to front-wheel use, it is equally effective on the rear for racing applications and on particularly technical and demanding terrain.
A COMPLETE RANGE
The new range has been developed by Pirelli’s technicians, drawing on years of collaboration with three-time Downhill World Champion Fabien Barel, alongside a group of world-class athletes supported by the Milan-based company across multiple gravity disciplines. Their combined expertise has enabled extensive real-world testing across a wide range of terrains, riding styles and conditions.
Fabien Barel commented: “Having worked closely with Pirelli, I’ve seen firsthand how deeply their expertise runs, from Formula 1 to the Motorcycle World Championship, from motocross to high-performance cars. That same racing DNA is now driving innovation in mountain biking – across compound technology, casing construction, and tread design. What’s particularly interesting is seeing how the company is bringing into cycling that wealth of cross-discipline knowledge built up over years of success at the highest levels of motorsport.
What stands out most when riding these new tyres is how consistent the grip feels across the entire tread, no matter the terrain, and how stable the casing stays even when conditions get rough – it’s the kind of confidence you notice within the first few turns.”
The renowned French athlete’s experience and technical expertise in on-trail product development were complemented by valuable inputs from leading athletes including Brendan Fairclough, Jack Moir, Thomas Genon, Juan Diego Salido, Fabio Wibmer and Lachlan Blair.
The new Pirelli SCORPION range, featuring BLACK STING, EMPEROR and RED CLAW, is available now online and through selected cycling retailers.
To learn more, visit pirellicycling.com
SHARE THIS FIRST RIDE REVIEW
SUPPORT AND JOIN THE LOAM WOLF PACK
Want to test products for The Loam Wolf or be a Guest Tester at one of our Shootouts? Join here and be entered into monthly giveaways, have access to industry discount codes, sneak peaks of new products and more!
This is a new and positive MTB community that directly impacts future of MTB product development, shares helpful tips, setup suggestions and more.
Check out our NEW community here.