Pirelli has replaced its Scorpion gravity mountain bike tyres with a simpler, rebuilt line-up of three tread patterns, four casings and three rubber compounds. The headline for e-bike riders: every casing in the new Pirelli Scorpion gravity range comes in an "eMTB Ready" version that the Italian brand says suits regular mountain bikes as well as light and full-power eMTBs.
The range was developed with three-time downhill world champion Fabien Barel, with feedback from riders including Brendan Fairclough, Jack Moir, Thomas Genon, Juan Diego Salido, Fabio Wibmer and Lachlan Blair. Pirelli published the launch on its global site on 7 October 2026 and says the tyres are available now online and from selected bike shops.
Three treads for three kinds of dirt
Pirelli wants riders to choose in three steps: tread first, then casing, then compound.
- Black Sting – an all-new pattern for dry hardpack and firm, compact trails, focused on low rolling resistance and controlled braking.
- Emperor – the all-rounder for mixed terrain, a re-engineered evolution of the old Scorpion Race M.
- Red Claw – the grip specialist for loose-over-hard, dusty and off-camber sections, derived from the Race T. It is the closest thing to a wet-weather tyre in the range, although Pirelli does not call it a mud tyre. Pirelli suggests it as a front tyre paired with an Emperor on the rear, or as a full set in soft conditions.
None of the new treads is directional.
Four eMTB Ready casings
The casings step up from the light ProWALL through HardWALL and dual-ply DualWALL to the race-grade DH+ WALL, which adds extra sidewall and bead reinforcement for downhill. Red Claw is only offered in the two heaviest casings, while Black Sting and Emperor are also available in ProWALL. Pirelli pitches DualWALL at enduro racing, bike parks and freeride, and DH+ WALL at top-level downhill racing.
F1-style compounds
The compounds are named and colour-coded like Pirelli's Formula 1 tyres: Medium (yellow lettering) balances grip and mileage, Soft (red) adds grip and feedback, and SuperSoft (purple) offers maximum grip and damping. Pirelli recommends SuperSoft for the front wheel, but says it also works on the rear for racing and very technical terrain.
Looking for other options? Browse our eMTB tyre catalog.
Pirelli Scorpion gravity range at a glance
- Black Sting sizes
- 27.5 x 2.4", 29 x 2.4"
- Emperor sizes
- 27.5 x 2.4" to 29 x 2.6"
- Red Claw sizes
- 27.5 x 2.4", 29 x 2.4", 29 x 2.5"
- ProWALL
- 700–900 g (Black Sting, Emperor)
- HardWALL
- 900–1,100 g (Black Sting, Emperor)
- DualWALL
- 1,100–1,300 g (all treads)
- DH+ WALL
- 1,300 g to over 1,500 g (all treads)
- eMTB use
- All casings eMTB Ready (light and full-power)
- Price
- £54.99–£79.99 (UK); $77.90–$116.90 (US)
- Availability
- Now, online and selected retailers
Weights are Pirelli claims; prices as reported for the UK and US markets and vary by casing and compound.
Frequently asked questions
Are the new Pirelli Scorpion gravity tyres suitable for eMTBs?
Yes. Pirelli offers all four casings – ProWALL, HardWALL, DualWALL and DH+ WALL – in an eMTB Ready version for light and full-power eMTBs as well as regular mountain bikes.
What replaced the Scorpion Race M and Race T?
The Emperor is the evolution of the Race M, and the Red Claw is derived from the Race T. Black Sting is an all-new tread for hardpack.
What sizes are available?
Black Sting comes in 27.5 and 29 x 2.4 inch, Emperor from 27.5 x 2.4 to 29 x 2.6 inch, and Red Claw in 27.5 x 2.4, 29 x 2.4 and 29 x 2.5 inch.
How much do they weigh?
Pirelli claims 700–900 g for ProWALL, 900–1,100 g for HardWALL, 1,100–1,300 g for DualWALL and from 1,300 g to over 1,500 g for DH+ WALL.
How much do they cost?
Reported prices range from £54.99 to £79.99 in the UK and from $77.90 to $116.90 in the US, depending on casing and compound.
Which compound should I run on the front?
Pirelli recommends the SuperSoft compound for the front wheel; it can also be used on the rear for racing and very technical terrain.
32 years of riding experience — from a school bike to today’s high-tech e-MTBs.
