Pirelli's Scorpion XC RC mountain bike tire has earned podiums in cross-country World Cup racing, and the Cinturato Gravel RC adapts that proven tread pattern for gravel bikes. The design splits responsibilities between center and shoulder knobs: low-profile, tightly-spaced center knobs minimize rolling resistance on hardpack and pavement, while tall, widely-spaced shoulder knobs dig in when cornering on loose surfaces. This dual-purpose layout targets racers who need speed on fast sections without sacrificing grip when the course turns technical.

The "RC" designation signals racing intent within Pirelli's Cinturato Gravel lineup. Where the Gravel H optimizes for hardpack roads and the Gravel S handles soft terrain, the RC splits the difference for mixed-surface events like the World Gravel Series and Unbound. It slots alongside the Gravel M in covering middle-ground conditions, but the RC's tread pattern favors drier terrain while the M handles mud clearance better. If your routes lean toward dry, fast gravel with occasional loose corners, the RC matches that profile.

SpeedGRIP compound handles contact patch duties across the tire. Pirelli developed this gravel-specific formulation drawing from their World Rally Championship experience, where mixed-surface grip and durability matter equally. The compound shares its polymer matrix with the SmartGRIP rubber used on Pirelli's mountain bike tires but trades some mechanical grip for reduced rolling resistance. The result approaches road tire efficiency while maintaining the chemical grip needed for confident cornering on packed dirt and wet pavement.... Read More