Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M – Mixed‑Terrain Control for Real‑World Gravel

A fresh pair of Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M tyres has arrived for testing. And they’re aiming for a fiercely competitive part of the gravel market: the “do‑everything” tyre. With a tread aimed at everything from hardpack, loose chalk and wet woodland, plus improved casing and compounds, is this Pirelli’s most ambitious gravel all‑rounder yet?

Pirelli positions the Cinturato Gravel M as its true mixed‑terrain option. It’s intended to sit between the faster Gravel H and the more aggressive Gravel S. The company describes it as suitable for “compact to loose surfaces and everything in between”. That’s exactly the kind of riding many UK gravel riders face: bridleways, chalk, flint, woodland, farm tracks, and the occasional stretch of tarmac linking it all together.

This preview outlines what makes the new Cinturato Gravel M interesting and what we’ll be looking for in our test. Pirelli offers the Cinturato M in a multitude of casings, compounds and sizes. On test we have a 45mm, black tyre with ProWALL Gravel Casing and SmartEVO Compund. Here’s the details on those.

Tread Pattern: Medium Knobs, Maximum Range

The Cinturato Gravel M uses a mixed‑terrain tread built around medium‑height, medium‑spaced knobs. These aim to balance dependable bite on loose surfaces with predictable, efficient rolling on hardpack. A compact centre strip helps keep rolling resistance low and boosts speed on firmer ground, with Pirelli claiming it sets a new benchmark for efficiency in this category. The tread pattern aims to deliver dependable grip in both wet and dry conditions, a welcome trait for UK riders. Out on the trail, this design should translate into a tyre that rolls quickly across the South Downs’ chalk and grass, while still offering enough bite at the shoulders to hold a line when the terrain turns loose and unpredictable.

Construction: ProWALL Gravel Casing

ProWALL Gravel Casing for our test tyre is a 120 TPI casing. Pirelli say this improves suppleness and reduces rolling resistance while still offering the durability needed for rougher terrain. The sidewalls are reinforced using technology borrowed from the brand’s MTB casings, giving the tyre more stability at lower pressures and adding protection against sharp rocks and flint.

Beneath the tread sits an additional protective layer that boosts puncture resistance; an essential feature for long rides and the UK’s notoriously unforgiving gravel. The Cinturato M comes in TechWALL and ProWALL versions. For our test we’re using ProWALL, the more robust and performance‑focused of the two.

Compound: SmartEVO GR

The SmartEVO GR compound is engineered to deliver low rolling resistance for modern off‑road riding, offering a noticeable step forward from Pirelli’s previous SpeedGRIP formulation; which is still an option. It’s designed to maintain strong chemical grip on both wet and dry surfaces, including the tarmac transitions that often link gravel sectors together. As a Made‑in‑Italy compound shared with Pirelli’s top‑tier tyres, it aims to strike the ideal balance between speed, control and versatility.

This compound is one of the biggest updates and will be a key focus of our testing; especially how it behaves on damp chalk and greasy woodland roots.

Sizes, Compatibility & Options

The Cinturato Gravel M is available in:

• 700c sizes from 35–50 mm
• 650b options up to 50 mm
• Standard or Classic (tanwall) editions
• Hookless‑compatible construction meeting current ETRTO standards

How It Fits Into Pirelli’s Gravel Line

Model	Intended Terrain	Key Feature
Cinturato Gravel H	Hardpack	Fastest rolling
Cinturato Gravel M	Mixed terrain	Balanced speed & grip
Cinturato Gravel S	Soft/loose	Deep, aggressive knobs

The Cinturato Gravel M aims to be the “one tyre for everything” option, something many riders want, but few tyres truly deliver. Given Pirelli’s claims and the tech on paper, expectations are high, but real‑world gravel has a way of revealing the truth.