Pirelli Scorpion Gravity: Three Treads and a Clearer Choice of Casings

By MTBSA contributor

Pirelli has reorganised its Scorpion gravity tyres around three named treads: Blacksting, Emperor and Redclaw. Four casing levels and three rubber compounds create a broad range, so the useful question is which combination matches your riding rather than which name sounds most aggressive.

Choose the tread for the surface

Blacksting uses lower-profile blocks and prioritises rolling efficiency on hardpack. Its tread layout is intended to provide predictable braking and cornering without the drag of a deeply spaced pattern.

Emperor is the all-rounder, developed from the previous Scorpion Race M. More open spacing is intended to help the blocks penetrate the surface while balancing traction and rolling speed.

Redclaw takes the most aggressive role, drawing on the earlier Race T. Larger, more widely spaced blocks target loose and wet ground. That greater emphasis on grip comes with a different rolling-efficiency priority.

Compound and casing are separate choices

Medium rubber is positioned around durability and balanced grip. Soft is aimed at more aggressive riding in varied conditions. Supersoft prioritises grip and damping, particularly for front-wheel use or demanding racing. These are Pirelli’s intended uses, rather than test conclusions from MTBSA.

ProWALL is the lightest protective casing, with quoted range weights of 700–900 g. HardWALL adds support and impact reinforcement at 900–1,100 g. DualWALL targets enduro, park and freeride use at 1,100–1,300 g. DH+ WALL uses a tougher dual-ply construction and additional reinforcement, at 1,300 g to more than 1,500 g.

Buying the right version

The announced range includes 27.5- and 29-inch sizes in 2.4- and 2.5-inch widths, with 77 product combinations. Exact individual tyre weights were not supplied. US pricing spans ≈ R1 303–R1 956.

For South African riders, specify tread, compound, casing and size together when checking local stock. A lighter trail setup and a downhill race bike need not use the same casing even on similar terrain. Local pricing and availability remain unconfirmed in the supplied release; riding performance still needs testing.

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About these rand prices

Amounts marked ≈ are approximate rand conversions of overseas prices, using SARS reference rates dated 12 October 2026, rounded to the nearest rand. They are not South African retail quotes and exclude additional shipping, import charges and local retailer costs. Confirm current local pricing with a South African dealer. Unqualified dollar prices in US-market reporting are treated as US dollars; explicitly identified currencies use their corresponding rate.