Specialized offers new MTB tires
New rubber for XC, trail, and enduro riding
Specialized has been busy updating its line of mountain bike tires. The brand has launched new tires for XC, trail, and enduro riding and racing in the new Fast Trak, Air Trak, Butcher, and Eliminator tires.
The Fast Trak and Air Trak are siblings and both designed for cross-country racing. The former is meant for variable conditions while the later is best on hard pack surfaces. Racers may opt for the Fast Trak when it’s dusty or muddy, while the Air Trak shines when the trails are not as loose.
The Fast Trak is 5% faster-rolling and 55g lighter, according to Specialized. Shoulder knobs with the T7 compound provide traction and control, while the tire’s new casing is more puncture resistant than the previous S-Works casing, Specialized claims.
The Air Trak boasts similar attributes, and both models retail for $64.99.
The Butcher and Eliminator are all purpose trail riding tires that could be used for enduro or even downhill, too. The Butcher features a similar design to the previous model but more emphasized knobs put 12% more rubber on the ground, leading to more traction. It can be used as both a fronth and a rear tire, and comes in a variety of sizes, casing, and compound options.
The Eliminator is a rear-specific tire with the tread pattern suggesting traction rather than rolling resistance. A faster-rolling trail option would be Specialized’s Ground Control or Purgatory models.
I haven’t ridden any of the new models, but I am a fan of the previous Butcher model which is a gold-standard trail tire for everything from fast lunch hour rides to all-day epics. The tread grips well in the dust of my hometown of Durango, but it also provides confidence when it gets wet as well. I particularly appreciate how the 2.3 version pumps up wider on the rim compared to other brands such as Maxxis. Specialized tires are relatively simple to setup tubeless and seat with a floor pump too.
The Butcher would particularly shine as a front tire on a trail bike like Specialized Stumpjumper 15—review coming soon!—with your choice of rear tire dependent on riding style and conditions.
Check out the new line of tires here, and let me know in the comments what prduct/tech news or review content you’d like to see on Ryan MTB.
I do not have a financial or affiliate relationship with Specialized; this article was written based on editorial strategy and the merit of the subject matter exclusively.