Pirelli has finished its made-in-Italy gravel range with two race tyres - the Cinturato Gravel RH and RM - now stretching all the way to a plus-sized 55mm, with claimed rolling-resistance drops of up to 17% and 20%.
What Pirelli actually launched
Pirelli has rounded out its gravel range with two new race-focused tyres: the Cinturato Gravel RH (Race Hardpack) and the Cinturato Gravel RM (Race Mixed). Both sit in the premium High-Performance Line (HP-Line), which Pirelli says is entirely designed and built in Italy at its Bollate facility near Milan.
The two tyres share Pirelli's new SmartEVO GR rubber compound and a 120 TPI ProWall Gravel casing borrowed from the brand's XC mountain-bike tyres, with reinforced sidewalls for cut and puncture protection. The difference is the tread: the RH runs a fast, near-slick centre strip with shoulder knobs for cornering, while the RM (which replaces the old RC) keeps a more aggressive all-terrain pattern.
By the numbers
Source: Pirelli / BikeRadar
The real story in the headline is that word "literally": the range now spans 35mm up to 55mm. The RM is offered in 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55mm; the RH in 40, 45, 50 and 55mm. Across colours and widths that works out to roughly 18 RH and 19 RM configurations, in Classic Black, Classic Tan, a cream Retro finish and a yellow-labelled Team Edition.
A 55mm tyre is genuinely wide - around a 29x2.2in mountain-bike tyre - and reflects how gravel racers keep chasing comfort and grip on rough courses. Whether most riders need that much rubber is exactly where the launch gets interesting.
RH vs RM: which one should you buy?
Cinturato Gravel RH vs RM
| Gravel RH | Gravel RM | |
|---|---|---|
| Designation | Race Hardpack | Race Mixed |
| Tread | Slick centre + shoulder knobs | Aggressive all-terrain |
| Best for | Hardpack, smooth dirt, tarmac | Mixed surfaces, loose, singletrack |
| Widths (mm) | 40 / 45 / 50 / 55 | 35 / 40 / 45 / 50 / 55 |
| Claimed RR saving | up to 17% | up to 20% |
| Casing | 120 TPI ProWall Gravel | 120 TPI ProWall Gravel |
| Compound | SmartEVO GR | SmartEVO GR |
| Claimed weight (55mm) | 710 g | 710 g |
| Made in | Italy | Italy |
Specs: Pirelli / BikeRadar
View data table
| Reduction vs Performance Line | |
|---|---|
| Gravel RH (Hardpack) | 17 % |
| Gravel RM (Mixed) | 20 % |
What the reviewers and racers say
Three takes from the launch
Independent verdicts from across the cycling press — follow each link for the full review.
Sceptical of the width race
“We're not so sure about the 'bigger is better' trend though ... narrower and lighter may be a better choice if you're not planning to ride Unbound XL.”
Read the full reviewWelcomes the wider, higher-TPI range
“The high TPI count will make a huge difference in how these tires feel compared to borrowing tougher XC tires.”
Read the full reviewRM is the do-it-all favourite
“It grips, rolls well, and never feels fragile.”
Read the full review“the full Cinturato Gravel range now provides riders of all types with easier selection across its four Made-in-Italy models”
Note the spread of opinion. AMB's verdict comes from testing the Cinturato Gravel tread platform rather than the brand-new HP-Line compound, but its read on character holds: the RM-style pattern is the safer all-rounder, while the slick-centred RH "reaches its limits sooner" once the surface turns loose or technical. If your local roads are hardpack farm tracks and tar links, the RH is the rocket; if you mix in sand, singletrack and chunder, the RM is the smarter default.
The honest pros and cons
- Genuinely fast: a real generational drop in rolling resistance over the previous Performance Line
- Huge fit range, now up to a 55mm plus-size for max comfort and grip
- Tough 120 TPI ProWall casing with reinforced, XC-derived sidewalls
- Made in Italy with at least 15% FSC-certified natural rubber
- Four finishes including tan and retro for the classic look
- Premium price (£74.99 (~R1 600) a tyre in the UK)
- 710g for the 55mm is purposeful, not light
- Rolling-resistance gains are 'up to' and measured against Pirelli's own slower tyres
- No independent lab or long-term durability data yet
- The RH's slick centre gives up grip in mud and loose conditions
A polished, properly modern gravel-race range - the width spread and Italian build are standouts. We're holding back half a point until independent rolling-resistance and durability numbers land. Based on launch specs, not a hands-on test.
Price, availability and SA buying
Pirelli lists the RH and RM at £74.99 (~R1 600) per tyre in the UK (roughly R1,750 once converted from GBP, before import duty and local markup - so treat that as a floor, not a shelf price). For reference, Australian retail is AU$134.99 (~R2 200). They're available now online and through selected bike shops, with South African stock typically arriving via Pirelli's local distributor.
Use the live price check below to see what the Cinturato Gravel range is actually selling for in South African Rand right now.
How Pirelli's gravel range got here
- Gen 1Cinturato Gravel H & M
Pirelli's first dedicated gravel tyres - Hard and Mixed tread patterns that defined the line.
- RaceCinturato Gravel RC
A faster race-oriented tyre; its tread now carries over to the new RM.
- Made in ItalyHigh-Performance Line
Pirelli shifts its top gravel tyre production to its Bollate plant near Milan.
- Jun 2026RH & RM + 55mm
Two HP-Line race tyres with SmartEVO GR compound complete the range and push width out to 55mm.
Gravel-tyre questions, answered
What do RH and RM stand for? +
RH is Race Hardpack - a fast, near-slick tyre for firm gravel and tarmac. RM is Race Mixed - a more aggressive all-rounder for varied and looser terrain. Both replace and rename earlier Cinturato Gravel models.
Will a 55mm gravel tyre fit my bike? +
Not always. Many gravel frames and forks top out around 45-50mm of tyre clearance; 55mm needs a bike explicitly rated for it. Check your manufacturer's stated maximum (with mud room) before buying the widest option.
Are these tubeless? +
Yes - they use Pirelli's tubeless-ready ProWall Gravel casing with reinforced sidewalls, designed to be run tubeless with sealant.
Are the rolling-resistance numbers independently verified? +
No. The up-to 17% (RH) and 20% (RM) figures are Pirelli's own internal results measured against its slower Performance Line tyres. They're not third-party lab data or a comparison with rival brands.
RH or RM for typical South African gravel? +
If you mostly ride hardpack district roads and tar links, the RH is the faster pick. For mixed Karoo, sand, singletrack and rougher farm tracks, the RM's extra bite is the safer all-round choice.
Tap to vote — see how readers lean
Sources and further reading
- Pirelli expands its gravel tyre range, with new 55mm options — BikeRadar
- Pirelli launches Cinturato Gravel RH and RM (press release) — Pirelli
- New Cinturato RM and RH put the race back into gravel race tires — Canadian Cycling Magazine
- Pirelli increases grip with complete High Performance Line — Bikerumor
- Cinturato Gravel RH and RM added to Pirelli's range — Tire Technology International
- Pirelli launches Cinturato Gravel RH and RM tyres (UK pricing) — BikeBiz
The Cinturato Gravel RH and RM are Pirelli's most complete gravel offering yet: faster, Italian-made, and finally available in the plus-size widths racers keep demanding. The RH is the hardpack speed weapon, the RM the sensible everyday choice. Just keep the headline rolling-resistance numbers in perspective - they're Pirelli measuring against Pirelli - and confirm your frame clears 55mm before you fall for the big-rubber hype.
