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SPECIALIZED
Versatile treads
Compound and casing options
Well-priced
Good ride feedback
Ground Control can push more than expected
Can we get a T6?
RRP: GRID T7 - $80 CONTROL T5 - $70 specialized.com/au/en
GROUND CONTROL AND FAST TRAK TYRES
Specialized are one of the biggest brands in the bike world, and unlike almost every other major brand, they have their own tyre range. The Specialized line up of tyres had an overhaul in 2021, with updated com- pounds, casings and tread patterns across many popular models. Two of these are the evergreen Ground Control and Fast Trak tread patterns.
I’ve had two pairs of these tyres in use since late spring in 29x2.35” sizing, with the softer T7 combination using the GRID casing, and the faster rolling T5 models using the lighter Control casing. These updated models are designed to work with wider rims, and I used 29mm wide rims for testing.
The Ground Control tread pattern is quite open, with what Specialized call their Block-in-Block tread, meaning there are lower height tread knobs inlaid into the knobs, for more support and more edges in softer conditions. The Fast Trak tread pattern is known to be a fast rolling but adaptable tread. The edge knobs are little more open, and the Block-in-Block design aids support and the rolling speed with the closer centre tread.
GROUND CONTROL AND FAST TRAK:
GRID 2BLISS READY T7
This was the first set I mounted up with the Ground Control weighing 870g and the Fast Trak 810g in the.
The 2Bliss Ready bead means the bead is butyl wrapped which helps it lock in place. The Grid casing is a 60 threads per inch (tpi) casing with extra reinforcement on the sidewalls that aids stability. The T7 compound is the second softest compound that Specialized are offering, which should enhance the chemical grip (compared to how the tread digs in) on the terrain you ride.
The tyres inflated easily with a track pump, measuring at a hair under 60mm. The edge knobs sit perfectly on the tyres, although the Ground Control’s tread is markedly more aggressive than the Fast Trak, which is to be expected.
While my first rides had hero dirt, my local trails have mostly dried to their usual loose over hardpack. That said, with more water in streams, I did find the T7 compound felt good carrying wet dirt onto rocks and logs. There was noticeably some drag on these tyres when riding to and from the trails, even when compared to tyres of a similar weight. On the dirt, it was less noticeable.
The T7 Grid models never left me without traction on the climbs, and I had a bunch of fun finding where their sweet spot was on descents. While I started with a modest 19.5/21.5psi front and back, in the end I was down to 16.5/19.5psi! The 60tpi Grid casing has plenty of support, and while these pressures are what work for me on my bike and my trails, it’s still a little less than I thought I would be running. And that was being conservative in the rear.
At these pressures, the T7 Grid setup had a pleasingly damped feeling on flatter trails, with enough support to load the bike up, and with enough protection to let it run in faster
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Photos: Mike Blewitt