Pirelli has announced the development of PAAS (Pirelli Advanced Aerodynamic System), a patented innovation designed to improve energy efficiency and speed in its next generation of road cycling tyres.
The new system aims to maximise aerodynamic efficiency without compromising other performance factors such as weight, rolling resistance, or ease of mounting.
Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Pirelli is an international tyre manufacturer with extensive experience in the automotive and cycling industries. It produces high-performance tyres for professional and amateur cyclists, supporting several top-tier professional teams.
The development of PAAS stems from research into the relationship between tyre shape, aerodynamic drag, and the overall efficiency of the wheel–tyre system. Pirelli notes that, as the industry moves toward wider tyres and rims, the frontal surface area exposed to airflow has increased. The company goes on to point out that if airflow is disturbed by the tyre, the aerodynamic potential of the rim cannot be fully realised.
The PAAS technology uses a specific tyre geometry where the widest point of the tyre is positioned at a precise height when mounted and inflated. According to the company, this position was determined using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software. By placing the widest point in this unique zone, airflow remains attached to the tyre sidewall for longer, reducing vortex formation and lowering drag.
The development programme included 14 iterations of aerodynamic parameters and eight dedicated sessions in four different wind tunnels. Testing analysed behaviour at yaw angles between 0° and ±20°, representing typical conditions for cyclists riding above 30km/h.
Internal tests comparing the new technology against the P ZERO Race TLR RS tyre showed significant reductions in aerodynamic drag. For tyre widths ranging from 28mm to 35mm, Pirelli reported average drag reductions of up to 20%.
A further element of the innovation is its performance stability, with the company stating that aerodynamic efficiency remains high even as the tyre tread wears over time.
Pirelli emphasised that the transition between the tyre sidewall and the rim edge remains functional, ensuring that the tyres are not more difficult to mount or remove despite the aerodynamic optimisations.
