Pirelli’s Italian Homecoming (And the Cost of Suppleness)

There is a certain allure to seeing "Made in Italy" stamped on a sidewall, especially when it comes to Pirelli. The brand has finally brought its top-tier gravel production home to Milan with the new Cinturato HP-Line, and on paper, the numbers look great: better rolling resistance and significantly improved puncture protection. It feels like the natural evolution for a brand that trades so heavily on its racing heritage.

However, what catches my eye isn't just the high-end optimization; it's the widening gap between the "best" and the "rest." While the new Italian-made HP tires get a supple 120 TPI casing, the standard "P-Line" drops to a 60 TPI casing. That is a noticeable shift in ride quality. It feels like we are entering an era where you have to pay a near-$100 premium per tire just to maintain the performance standard we used to take for granted.

Curated Specifications

• The Casing Split: 120 TPI vs. 60 TPI. The HP-Line gets the supple 120 TPI construction (better road feel/grip), while the cheaper P-Line uses a stiffer 60 TPI. This is the most critical differentiator for ride feel.
• Origin: Made in Milan (HP-Line). The top-tier tires are manufactured in Pirelli's own Italian factory using FSC-certified natural rubber, shortening the supply chain and potentially improving QC.
• Price: $97.90 (HP) / $78.90 (P). We are officially knocking on the door of the $100 bicycle tire.