New Bike Tech: Pirelli has Refreshed Its Cinturato Gravel Tire Line

Are these the dog days? Have we already reached the time of year where things move more slowly, even as we are just on the doorstep of summer officially getting underway?

From the world of new bike tech, it seems like that is the case. After the months of hectic action from Sea Otter, Traka, Unbound, and multiple Asian trade shows, the tap has slowed. It won’t be slow for long, like so many things in road cycling, the Tour de France will bring a run of tech news, but for now, thankfully, we can breathe.

That being said, this week we still found a few new things dropping into our inboxes, including one Velo editor’s favorite jerseys and a hefty reimagination of gravel tires. Let’s dig in!

Pirelli reconfigures the Cinturato gravel tire line

There is a tendency for certain tire brands to be good at one discipline of cycling and less good at the other disciplines. I could go into the specifics, but for the case of this product, there is only one reference needed: Pirelli road tires have been much better than the Italian brand’s off-road offerings.

When you zoom out, this makes sense. What is Pirelli known for? Providing the tires for F1 auto racing. In cycling, that has translated to producing tires that have not been out of place in the WorldTour with Lidl-Trek and Alpecin-Premier Tech. A win at Paris-Roubaix is about as much validation as a road racing tire can get.

Yet, the off-road success is more mixed. According to Bicycle Rolling Resistance testing, the difference between the previous Cinturato 40mm gravel tire and the Hutchinson Carcal Race 40mm gravel tire was a massive eight-watt delta. While the tread is not exactly like-for-like, the data was not kind to the Cinturato.

Pirelli hopes to change that with the refreshed Cinturato line. This means: a brand new compound; 40,  45, and 50mm sizes; five tread patterns; three different sidewall looks; and two different constructions.

The is the key differentiator among the tires are those two different constructions. The High Performance line, Pirelli says, is borrowed from the motor sports side of the company, while the P-Line is the more durable construction. Between all these different machinations, Pirelli offers speed, durability, and unique looks that should improve the brand’s standing in the gravel tire landscape.

With all of that optionality, we would be here all day if we went through and listened to all the different combinations, but that itself is the point. With such a broad collection of tires, Pirelli is clearly looking to provide riders with whatever their specific needs are, no matter how specific.

To dig into all the different Cintuato combinations, visit Pirelli’s website.

Ornot revamps its race-cut Park jersey

I asked if I could have a section in this week’s roundup, and Logan Jones-Wilkins was generous enough to let me talk about one of my favorite jerseys that is getting an update.

The Ornot Park jersey is something different from the brand. Typically, their fit is a little less aero and a little more good vibes. A lot of people absolutely love Ornot for that, but I happen to like my jerseys a little more form-fitting.

Last year, I had a chance to try out the Ornot Park jersey, and I loved it. It’s not just that it’s a race fit, though. There are a ton of race-fit jerseys on the market, and in the modern world of “aero everything,” a lot of them drop the neckline too low and place tiny pockets too high up on the back. The Ornot Park jersey is actually a bit of a hybrid. It features old-school details like a higher neckline and usable pockets, but the sleeve length and overall fit remain thoroughly modern.

I’m a big fan, and this year brings a new color option alongside a matching lightweight vest. As with previous versions, the jersey features Certified OEKO-TEX® 100 recycled fabric, and branding remains minimal. Retail pricing is set at $168 for the jersey and $118 for the vest, with both men’s and women’s versions available. For more information, visit the Ornot homepage.

-Josh Ross