Testing the new Specialized S-Works Turbo tires

With a slight revamp of its tire lineup, Specialized is putting tubeless tires front and center with the new S-Works Turbo RapidAir 2BR and S-Works Turbo 2BR T2/T5. The classic tube-type tire isn’t left out either, with the S-Works Turbo, which also features a new T2/T5 compound designed to improve efficiency and traction. We tested the 28 mm version over 2,500 km. Our verdict. By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©3Bikes.fr

Aside from the new T2/T5 rubber compound, the new S-Works Turbo tire doesn’t look much different from the previous version at first glance. The tread pattern remains the same, and even though the tire seems to weigh a few grams less, it’s still jet black! It’s worth noting that, unlike the bikes and other accessories in the Specialized lineup, the S-Works designation here isn’t necessarily synonymous with top-of-the-line. The S-Works Turbo tire was replaced as early as 2016 by the famous Turbo Cotton in the California-based brand’s tire lineup, and today this new version still sits below the brand’s two most recent S-Works tubeless tires—at least in terms of price. The previous S-Works Turbo was actually quite a good deal in terms of value for money, at around €45. But this new version, featuring the new T2/T5 compound, is priced at €60, which puts it in direct competition with the top models on the market.

In terms of features, the S-Works Turbo incorporates a new rubber compound called Grifton T2 in the tread, designed to reduce rolling resistance. It sits alongside the Grifton T5 compound already used on the shoulders and sidewalls of the previous version, a mix that is known for providing excellent grip in both dry and wet conditions. In fact, this was one of the previous version’s strengths from our perspective, even though the fairly soft rubber wore down relatively quickly, and the product’s lifespan didn’t always measure up to some of its competitors.

To improve durability, Specialized has also added a new Kevlar BlackBelt hybrid protection layer beneath the tread, thereby increasing puncture resistance.

In summary, the new S-Works Turbo tyre is about 15 grams lighter than the previous version and weighs 240 g (verified weight) in the 700×28 size. According to the brand’s claims, it offers slightly better performance while maintaining its excellent grip and is more durable. Is that enough to justify the price increase? We’ll have to see how it performs on the road.

2,500 km in winter conditions The S-Works Turbo isn’t a winter tire, but we still put it through its paces in cold, sometimes wet conditions, immediately after testing the tubeless S-Works Turbo RapidAir 2BR on the same Roval Rapide CLX II wheelset, which is now compatible with both tubeless and clincher tyres. The pair of tires was also mounted on Shimano 105 carbon wheels.

The 28 mm tire width is a perfect match for the width of the Roval rims (with an internal width of 21 mm and an external width of 35 mm in the front and 28 mm in the rear). The 28 mm tire (measured at 29 mm with a caliper) integrates well with the front rim in terms of aerodynamics, The tire is slightly narrower than the rim, which is the best way to minimize airflow disturbances between the tire and the rim walls. At the rear, the tire is very slightly wider than the Roval rim, but this has less impact on performance.

Like any tire in this category, it weighs more than a 23- or 25-mm model. However, comfort is superior because you can ride with slightly lower pressure (6 bar instead of 7 for 25 mm tyres in our case), and traction is better thanks to this lower pressure and the larger contact patch with the ground. Overall, though, the tire feels a touch less responsive during accelerations and when riding out of the saddle, thanks to its weight and the lateral flex that comes with running lower pressure. It’s worth noting, though, that at 240 g, the S-Works Turbo is one of the lightest tires on the market in this width.

In terms of comfort and grip, the S-Works Turbo tire is flawless. While the former characteristic is relatively abstract to define, you can still quickly feel the difference compared to tires with a narrower profile—particularly the previous-generation 26-mm S-Works Turbo tires, which we used for our personal riding. As for the second characteristic, however, the “bite” felt when cornering—a hallmark of the previous version—is clearly present. These tires inspire confidence and allow you to take corners very quickly, whether on dry or damp pavement.

Where we do notice a difference from the previous S-Works Turbo is in the tread, which seems a bit harder here, as we observed during a few emergency stops or on a steep, wet climb. The tire can (rarely) slip a bit, which never happened with the previous version, which really gripped the road. But this tread is also sturdier and more durable, whereas longevity has never really been a strong point of Specialized tires in this price range. It certainly shows significant wear after 2,500 km, and it has taken a few hits from sharp rocks, one of which caused a flat tire (just one). However, it’s important to keep in mind the conditions under which the test was conducted, which were very harsh for any tire. Under spring or summer conditions, we estimate the tire’s lifespan to be around 4,000 km, or even a little more.

As for performance, the new S-Works Turbo feels a tad faster on the road than its predecessor. Once up to speed, it never feels like a hindrance, even when trying to maintain a high average speed. It’s mainly during accelerations that it feels less responsive than a top-of-the-line tire like the Turbo Cotton. Here, you have to take into account the 28-mm width, as well as the sidewalls, which are less flexible and therefore less elastic.

Our take on the new Specialized S-Works Turbo tire Compared to the previous version, the new S-Works Turbo tires are lighter and offer slightly better efficiency, while maintaining very high-level traction. They’re also a bit sturdier and offer superior puncture resistance. But at a price of €60, they face fierce competition from models that are no less impressive and are even more durable. The S-Works Turbo remains an excellent choice for those who aren’t quite ready to switch to tubeless and are looking for a versatile model without any unpleasant surprises, even if they’re starting to get a bit pricey.

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