In winter, bike tires are put to the test. A set of factors combine to make the roads dirty and slippery and to significantly increase the risk of punctures: the choice of a product suitable for the season and the intended use, as well as some precautions before, during and after the cycling activity, can help keep the only meeting point between the mechanical vehicle and the road surface in optimal shape.
Source: Vitamin C press release

WHICH TIRE IS MOST SUITABLE?
Choosing a tire for the winter season often means giving priority to protection over factors such as lightness and smoothness. The first aspect to focus on, in fact, is the tread which must have more grooves or a more aggressive design, offering superior grip and road holding on wet surfaces, or in any case made more slippery by debris, leaves and/or dirt. Width is also a determining factor in road holding: the wider the surface in contact with the road surface, the greater the stability. For those who venture off-road with a gravel or mountain bike, a more aggressive tread pattern is almost necessary to have greater traction on sections of inconsistent terrain.

Last but not least is choosing a tire with greater and thicker puncture protection. Salt, stones, small glass, metal debris and thorns can cause punctures in an inadequately reinforced tire. Even water, in the form of pouring rain or even humidity and winter dew, acts as a lubricant, facilitating punctures and the penetration of any sharp debris into the tread: the Pirelli catalog offers, depending on the type of model and discipline, protections highly performing which significantly reduce the possibility of incurring this type of inconvenience.
BIKE TIRE MAINTENANCE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS
The other aspect that must be taken into account is maintenance. Whether it's a road bike, a gravel bike or a mountain bike, the substance doesn't change: winter is the season in which you need to take the most care of your tires before, during and after cycling trips.

Due to lower temperatures, pressure decreases faster than in summer, therefore, it is advisable to monitor it constantly. Obviously before inflating it is important to consult the tables with the inflation pressures recommended by Pirelli, as well as taking into consideration the body weight of the person in the saddle and the general load of the vehicle, in the event that there is luggage. It should also be considered that, when it is very cold, the air pressure in the atmosphere also decreases, so it is even more important to check the internal pressure of the tire to counterbalance. It goes without saying that, if the objective is to have greater grip, in addition to choosing the most suitable tread, a slight decrease in tire pressure (0.3 bar) - always respecting the minimum pressure values indicated for each tire - will allow more grip thanks also to the wider footprint on the ground.

Last but not least, a lower pressure also helps to reduce the risk of shear and penetration punctures, as it allows the tire to conform around the external body more, before failing and being punctured. However, this must be done with care not to go too low with the inflation pressure and not to exceed the minimum pressure value prescribed for each tyre, otherwise the other type of puncture, the pinch puncture, risks becoming the new problem.
SOME ADVICE: FROM DEFLATING THE TIRE TO HOW TO STORE IT
Once the bike ride is over, a quick check of the tire condition, with particular attention to cuts, small cracks or external objects stuck in the tread, is a must. Removing dirt and salt from the surface of the rubber also helps to extend the life of the tire from a chemical point of view.

In the winter period it is possible that bad weather forces you to keep the bicycle at rest for a long period, therefore, to best preserve the tires here are some precautions: depressurize the tires by half compared to the normal pressure; keep the bicycle in a cool, dry place and of course, protected from bad weather; avoid exposure to direct sunlight, taking into account the fact that UV rays can also weaken the rubber; keep the wheels raised from the floor and, especially if tubeless-ready and therefore with sealant inside, turn them every now and then; furthermore, prevent chemical substances or solvents from coming into contact with the rubber and in the case of replacement tyres, maintain them carefully, preferably "round" and not folded in the original packaging, and always away from damp surfaces (such as the walls of a cellar).
PIRELLI'S PROPOSALS FOR THE WINTER SEASON
The wide range of Pirelli tires offers various solutions for those who want to face the winter season safely without wanting to give up high performance.

As for the road, the high-performance tire for all seasons is the P ZERO Race 4S available both as a clincher and TLR and, thanks to the SmartEVO Compound compound created by combining the experience of the highest Motorsport competitions and the collaboration with the Pirelli cycling teams of World Tour, allows a balance between two opposite characteristics: grip and smoothness. An all season product for road and light gravel is the CINTURATO Velo, an ideal tire on difficult surfaces which, thanks to the tread compound with SmartNET Silica and the Armor Tech structure, is able to promote protection, safety and driveability in various road and climatic conditions. CINTURATO Gravel S it is an eclectic tire, designed by Pirelli for gravel pedaling on soft and muddy terrain. Designed to favor grip and protection over pure smoothness, this gravel tire allows you to optimize riding both in adverse weather conditions and on technical routes at the limits of mountain biking. Mud and cold are also the main dangers for those who practice mountain biking in the winter months.

In the tire range SCORPION by Pirelli (you can read our test here), regardless of the family (XC, Trail, Enduro, Race Enduro or DH, E-MTB) the S tread is available. The name of the tread design is linked to the type of terrain: the S (Soft Terrain), also born from The experience gained by Pirelli in the world of Motocross is the most sculpted option and suitable for use on mud, wet grass or inconsistent terrain. Finally, for those who move around the city with an e-bike or a city bike, the most suitable choice is the Angel DT Urban, inspired by the Angel Scooter: its extremely sculpted tread and carcass with HyperBelt protection up to 5mm offer grip, safety and excellent grip on a wide range of urban road surfaces.
