The fast tires keep coming, this time from the Italian powerhouse Pirelli. Just in time for the summer race schedule (and Olympics), Pirelli adds another update to the performance focused P Zero Race road tire line. Pirelli claims the new P Zero Race TLR RS is its fastest road race tire to date thanks to a new compound, reduced rolling resistance and more.How did they accomplish this? Read on and find out.What is it? Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RSThe new top-tier road race tire from Pirelli shares the same tread pattern and overall design as its predecessor, but it excels with lower rolling resistance and wet weather performance.Pirelli Bollate Plant To accomplish this, the Pirelli team moved production to an Italian factory in Bollate last year. The new factory is within a stones throw of their Milan HQ. There, they hashed out ways to make the P Zero TLR the fastest its been, arriving at an all-new P Zero TLR RS.Didnt the P Zero TLR Race just come out? Yes, and we love that tire (Ive raced it for a year with zero issues). Like many race-focused companies, the team at Pirelli is always looking for faster, lighter, and better. They hit the nail on the head with the new P Zero TLR RS.First, the team looked for where they could make improvements, most notably in weight, rolling resistance, and all-around weather performance. They leaned heavily on the Trek LiDI World Tour Team for testing and guidance. The current P Zero TLR Race was the teams go-to tire but was slightly overbuilt. The puncture protection is top-notch, but it also costs in rolling resistance and weight.The Pirelli team improved on this with an updated Patent-Pending Speed Core technology. This technology consists of a thin, airtight layer of rubber compound infused with aramid particles. Using this layer helps lighten up the casing structure and overall thickness, knocking down the weight slightly and reducing the rolling resistance.Flats Arent FastDoes this mean the tire is less puncture-resistant? Yes, but only not really. The current version of the P Zero TLR Race is very puncture-resistant. I cant remember getting a flat on them the entire time Ive raced them. They are less flat preventive than the previous version, but remember that these are race tires, and the risk/reward for lower rolling resistance and weight could be worth it to many.Updated SmartEVO CompoundThe Pirelli SmartEVO compound used on the P Zero TLR RS is a product of the new facility in Bollate, Italy. This updated compound improves the tires speed and grip. As Pirelli says, power is nothing without control. The team looked to improve performance in all race conditions, both dry and wet.Along with the updated compound comes an updated TLR bead design. This new design improves compatibility and air retention. The rim and bead market has changed, and with it, bead design. To accommodate modern rim designs, hookless included, Pirelli developed this new TLR bead design under ETRTO and ISO standards.Modern Tire SizesThe new Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS comes in a wide variety of sizes: 26, 28, 30, and 32mm. This is enough to fill all the road racing segments and bleed into the all-road market. Like most, 28mm and above are hookless rim approved, but any size under is not.Details Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RSPrice: USD: $99.90, CAD: $136.90, Euro: 89.90, AUD: $144.90 and NZD: $159.90Weight:298g Size 28mmAvailability: NowRide Impressions: Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RSI admit it: the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR is my go-to road race tire. I have two sets mounted up: one on my training wheels and another on race please squeeze every watt from my body wheels. Ive had a few issues (none, actually) with my current P Zero setup.UnboxingThe new Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS looks and feels significantly different from the current P Zero Race TLR. The under portion of the tire is notably glossy, and the tire itself has a softer feel. It might be my imagination, but the compound feels softer. Either way, one thing is certain: They are lighter,12g lighter than the other P Zero Race TLR in a 28mm size (298g vs 310g). Hookless MountingSince there has been a lot of talk about hookless lately, I felt the best review would be from the view of hookless bead wheels. With minimal effort,I mounted the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS tires on the CADEX 50 Ultra (race) wheels. The glossy internal finish on the tire made it slip around lightly on the rim, but after some direct attention, it mounted quickly.I inflated the tires with my trusty Silca floor pump with zero tissues getting the tire to the seat. Its worth noting that I cleaned the heck out of my valves before attempting this.Pirelli Pressure GuidancePirelli gives a little cheat sheet on recommended tire pressure via body weight and rim width along with the tires. The CADEX 50s have a width of 22c, and I followed the guidelines.The tires plumped up to a nice 29mm and pretty much on the dot of what Pirelli said in their tire inflation guide. The guidelines are slightly higher than I usually run and are at the top of some hookless rim recommendations. All in all, though, the tires felt nice and comfortable at the recommended 81psi for 160lbs.On the RoadAt the same pressure that I ride my P Zero Race TLR tires at (75-80psi), the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS felt nearly the same. I did have that new tire feeling and thought I felt a faster roll into some downhills, but its unsubstantiated. The tire felt just as comfortable as the P Zero Race TLR, and I rode with the same confidence on poorly maintained roads.Though I only had a few rides in the rain on the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS tires, they felt as good or better than any others in the P Zero lineup. Per Pirellis recommendations, I dropped the tires at 5psi for the rainy training day and felt confident in the performance. I couldnt feel much or any rolling resistant loss (they felt better), and Iwas feeling theconfidence in the corners 77psi was my new go-to pressure now. With the same setup and the same equipment, I felt faster on the super smooth and more well-maintained tarmac. This, again, is a feeling, but as any racer will tell you, a large part of going fast, is feeling fast.At the RacesAt our local weeknight crit, I had a chance to give the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR RS a proper test. The tires rolled fast on our traditional Oval shaped course I felt confident in the traction. The performance was nearly identical to the Race TLR versions, with an unexplained springinessto them. That feeling could be the excitement of summer night racing or the new compound and lightened carcass of the tire.Racing our bullet shaped crit course, I was able to push the corning a bit more. I found the tire comfortable with a confident performance. The tires sidewall felt slightly more corner-friendly when leaning the bike over, slightly more supple. I attribute this to the thinned-out casing and a bit to the compound.Final ImpressionsWithout all the technical data from Pirelli, it is impossible to prove that the tires are indeed faster. I have to settle on my ride sensations and race impressions. As a fan of the previous P Zero Race TLR, I find this improvement (all be it slight) excellent. I see these as a go-to race day tire to give any road racer that extra edge and confidence.The price? Yeah, these are performance race-day tires, and with that comes a higher price. Considering the wear and puncture resistance of the previous top-tier Race TLR, these should hopefully prove their price. Well be back with an entire season of racing reviews, but as of now, these are my go-to race tires. Ive yet to have a flat (knock on wood), and the tire wear seems on par with most race-focused tires we test. It is slightly fast-wearing but nothing out of the ordinary.Pirelli.comThe post Review: P Zero Race TLR RS Is Pirellis Fastest Road Tire To Date appeared first on Bikerumor.