Riding Pirelli's different Scorpion MTB casings

Words: Hayden Wright

Over the past few months I have been testing the ProWALL, HardWALL and HyperWALL variants of the Enduro M back-to-back on a variety of terrain. Pirelli’s Scorpion Enduro S and R tyres impressed me but left me wanting more. Their ability to perform within their specified window was striking, but I feel that most riders need something a little more versatile here in Australia. While the ‘S’ and ‘R’ stand for Soft and Rear respectively, the ‘M’ line of tyres being now being discussed are Pirelli’s Mixed terrain tyre.

TESTED: Pirelli Scorpion Enduro S Tyre

A jack of all trades if you will. Featuring their relatively new SmartGRIP Gravity rubber across three casing options, it seems there should be a width and casing combination available here to suit most trail/enduro riders. Over the past few months I have been testing the ProWALL, HardWALL and HyperWALL variants of the Enduro M back-to-back on a variety of terrain.

Tread Pattern and Compound

With the Enduro M predictability is achieved through the design of their tread pattern. The central knob pattern alternates between two separate siped knobs running in a repeated pattern, with one larger knob which has a much deeper sipe through it’s centerline and two shallower sipes running perpendicularly. The intermediate knob is between the single and double knobs to help maintain a consistent contact patch as the tyre rotates. The edge of the tread pattern is made up of staggered knobs which are siped along the length of their top face. 

All knobs measure to 6.2mm on the 2.6” and 5.2mm on the 2.4” across the entire tread pattern, giving a very consistent rounded profile. When inflated on a set of We Are One Union rims with a 30mm inner width, they measured in at 67.3mm (2.65”) for the 2.6” and 60.8mm (2.39”) for the 2.4. The rubber compound itself is Pirelli’s SmartGRIP Gravity, which in hand has a similar feel to Maxxis’ MaxxTerra rubber. Designed using their foundational knowledge in making class leading motocross tyres and in conjunction with Fabien Barel, this single-compound rubber is meant to be reliable while still performing well across a variety of terrains – making it a good match for the Enduro M tread pattern. 

Pressures

As I learnt in my previous Pirelli testing, these tyres typically need to be run with a tad less pressure than the competition thanks to how stiff and supportive the casing is. Across all three casing options I ran 20 PSI in the front and 26 PSI in the rear to ensure consistent comparison without any rim inserts. 

Pirelli Scorpion Enduro M | ProWALL Casing

Sizes tested: 29×2.4”, 29×2.6” 
Weight (actual): 881 grams (2.4”), 1080 grams (2.6”) | $119.99

Up first was the lightest of the three options available, Pirelli’s ProWALL casing. Touted as a tyre applicable for XC racing right through to Enduro, I was curious to see if the tyre and casing was as versatile as claimed. Featuring a 3-ply construction combining a mixture of both 60 and 120tpi nylon these tyres have a competitive weight and are quite a bit lighter than what I would typically run. A sub 1kg tyre is something I would typically stay far away from on an enduro bike in fear of flat tyres and cracked rims. Installation was easy, with both the front and rear mounting on by hand and inflating with a standard track pump.

On the trail, I immediately picked up on the predictable nature of the tread pattern and the surprising rolling speed. Having matching tyres front and rear gave me a boost in confidence as the balance of the bike was so in tune, with the Enduro M giving steady performance across hardpack, loam and everything in between. The casing feel is quite stiff, handling impacts and low pressures without as much as a burp or wobble. This feature really comes into its own when you begin to push at lower pressures, as the tyre stays stable and predictable underneath you. One characteristic which really grabbed my attention was how easy it was to keep the 2.4” rear in shallow ruts, and how well I felt I could accelerate out of turns. These are obvious benefactors of its light weight and relatively narrow overall width compared to the 2.5” and 2.6” rear tyres I typically run.

For your run of the mill trail and – dare I say it – ‘downcountry’ riding, this combination proved to be a real winner and fulfilled all claims Pirelli laid down – although I did find myself hesitating at times in an effort to preserve my rear rim from rock strikes due to the ProWALL’s light weight and lack of an integrated bead insert.

Pirelli Scorpion Enduro M | HardWALL Casing

Sizes tested: 29×2.4”, 29×2.6 
Weight (actual): 1002 grams (2.4”) , 1227 grams (2.6”) | $124.99

The HardWALL casing has a few key differences to the ProWALL. The key addition to this casing is an additional hard rubber insert within the inner most two layers of the tyre carcass. Second to this, the additional sidewall support layer seen in the ProWALL casing runs across the entire profile of the tyre in the HardWALL, giving it four layers of casing beneath the tread and three in the sidewall. This additional protection brings with it an increase of weight, measured to be around +120 grams across both sizes on test. The 2.4” tyre once again mounted up no issues with a regular pump, however the 2.6” needed the power of an air compressor to get it seated.

While I wasn’t convinced that I would notice a difference, there was a marginal yet noticeable increase in vibration damping and bump absorption on the HardWALL, compared to the ProWALL. This is undoubtedly due to the increased weight of the tyre as a whole, and also the additional casing thickness and bead insert. Through these ride impressions I did find myself hitting square edges with more confidence, knowing that the hard rubber insert was there giving increased protection to my rims when I inevitably picked a line that only Barry White would ride. Outside of that, the general ride impression was very similar to that of the ProWALL variant – that being of a predictable and reliable tyre which provided a great mix of traction, minimal rolling resistance and a controllable slide when introducing lean angle. 

Riders who are looking to push the limits on rougher terrain would be well suited running Pirelli’s HardWALL casing, even if it is just on the rear. Having the combination of a heavier, more robust rear tyre with a matching tread on the front in a lighter casing is something which can be a real winner – giving you weight and protection only where you really need it.

Pirelli Scorpion Enduro M | HyperWALL Casing

Sizes: 27.5×2.6”, 29×2.6” (tested)
Weight (actual): 1273 and 1297 grams (29×2.6”) | $134.99

E-bike specific tyres! That’s right everyone. It’s an electrified world and we are living in it. Might I let you in on a nifty little secret? E-bike rated parts are typically just burlier, more durable versions of their non e-bike counterparts. The same can be said for the HyperWALL casing tyres, the third and heaviest I had on test. The main difference between to HardWALL is the increased size of the rubber bead liner, and also an additional layer of casing at the bead. All this is done to help further protect the rim from the extra rotational and impact forces which can potentially be put out by an E-bike. Available only in 2.6” width, these tyres also needed a compressor to seat but were otherwise quick and easy to install with the help of a tyre lever.

Hands down, the HyperWALL casing was my choice for any really aggressive riding. If I was doing shuttles, chasing descent times on Strava or going away on a trip where I didn’t want the slightest chance of a flat tyre ruining my run, the E-bike tyres got the call. Having 2.6” front and rear gave an increased sense of consistency in turning performance, particularly when a lot of lean angle was being used. The matched tyre profiles made it really easy to predict and control slides, notably on hard pack terrain. Increasing the tyre width on the rear also gave me a sense of invincibility through rough, rocky sections. It almost felt as if I had an insert mounted, without all the hassle. The increased rotating mass also made staying on line through off cambers easier, with the heavier E-bike tyres being more willing to carry their momentum and being more difficult to deflect off line. As expected, all this weight does come at a cost and pedaling these tyres around was more of a chore than the other casings. Further to this, the wider rear tyre was also more difficult to sneak through small rock or root gaps on the trail, and less inclined to stay in shallow ruts. 

E-bike riders looking for a hard wearing and predictable tyre should look no further. As is with all the other Scorpion Enduro M tyres, the HyperWALL iteration is a true all-rounder. Acoustic riders who are at the more gravity-oriented end of the spectrum should also consider them for their durability and traction, assuming a decrease in maneuverability and pedaling performance is considered a worthy trade off. 

The entire Pirelli Scorpion Enduro range are available in Australia through FEsports.com.au