TESTED: Pirelli Scorpion Enduro M

Words: Ryan Walsch

For close to two years the Pirelli Scorpion range of tyres has been a staple on our test bikes and wheel sets with their predictability, quality casings and tread durability a standout. With Cross Country Lite ProWall, Trail ProWall, Enduro HardWall and E-MTB HyperWall casings riders can easily choose a casing to fit their riding preference followed by a tread pattern appropriate for the terrain and conditions they ride. Pirelli offer a Rear specific tread pattern with slightly more robust casing along with Scorpion S (Soft Terrain), Scorpion M (Mixed Terrain) and a Scorpion H (Hard Terrain).

With tread design experience from 150 years of motorsport, the simplified approach makes choice a breeze but did potentially leave a gap in the gravity space particularly around the Soft and Mixed terrain tread patterns which will be most popular for more aggressive gravity orientated riders. Pirelli is now offering a new Scoprion Enduro M perfect for front tyre duties and a more aggressive design that appears to provide more support in corners and under braking than the current Mixed Terrain.

I have had the Scorpion Enduro M up front of a few bikes over the last month and I’m impressed with the revision. While Pirelli has kept the overall profile quite round like their other Scorpion mountain bike tyres the side knobs are more pronounced with a tall shoulder to support them when cornering. There are generous sipes on all knobs, which provide additional bite when tipping in and trying to hold high lines, so Scorpion Enduro M is very predictable when doing so.

Setup

Unlike some tyres I setup on a regular basis, the Pirelli quality is exceptional, the tread pattern is centred, they inflate and bead easily every time and hold pressure well from day one of installation. The Scorpion Range has a tall, round profile making them feel more comfortable on the chop. Correct tyre pressure is essential for adequate support and controlled ride feel. The Scorpion Enduro M has the HardWall casing, it is heavily reinforced at the bead and sidewall and I tested it up front without use of an insert at 26.5psi with a Scorpion Enduro Rear Specific out back with a Panzer insert at 28psi. The Scorpion Enduro M we have is pre production and marked as a 29 x 2.5 inch and reads 65mm in width (outside edge of side knobs) however production models will be 29 x 2.4 and 29 x 2.6 to our knowledge, the current 29 x 2.4 is 62.5mm.

On The Trail

Like all Scorpion mountain bike tyres, Pirelli utilises their inhouse blended smartGRIP compound which is very aloof and makes it clear the team has worked hard on finding a balance between durability and chemical grip. While the current Scorpion range was smartGRIP, this new Scorpion M feels softer to touch and a slightly softer shore hardness than before. When I reached out to Samuele Bressan of Pirelli’s bike division previously he explained there is far more to a tyre compounds blend than just its shore hardness which is why all the blends are mixed in Italy and then sent to manufacturing plants globally. The blend and how it is cooked have a lot to do with how the tyre performs and grips and looking at the compounds that Pirelli offers for Formula One teams, it’s clear the Italians know a thing or two.

We have been blessed with a damp autumn and start to winter on the Scorpion Enduro M and dirt conditions have been epic, temperatures low and the rocks and logs slick – often covered with either sand or slick moss and dirt. The revised smartGRIP compound, whatever it is baked up of, has a clear advantage over the current Scorpion S and M tyres, the compound is softer to touch and the chemical grip on the damp rocks is noticeable. I am pleased to see that Pirelli is introducing softer compounds into their range, we raised this when we spoke with them a year ago and know they are working on DH tyres that utilise softer blends, it will be very exiting to see what else is in the pipeline.

Australian distributor FE Sports has done a stellar job keeping Pirelli stock levels up given the global demands for rubber and if Pirelli can keep global manufacturing going smoothly I expect the Scorpion Enduro M and any other new tyres that utilise softer blends of rubber hitting our shore to be a instant hit for Trail, Enduro and E-Mountain bikers.

RRP: $129.99

From: Fesports.com.au

Hits:

• More edge grip and support
• Softer compound
• No noticeable change in wear
• Still the same great casing

Misses:

• More of this please!