Review of the Specialized S-Works Mondo 2Bliss Ready Endurance Tires

Introduced last spring, the Specialized S-Works Mondo 2Bliss Ready (tubeless) tires feature the same T2/T5 rubber compound as the S-Works Turbo, but they’re designed for endurance riding, with durability and puncture protection built to handle all weather conditions. Offered in three widths, they can even handle a few stretches on gravel trails, and to put the concept to the test, we rode the 700×32 model for part of the winter. By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©3bikes.fr

Priced at €70 each, the S-Works Mondo 2Bliss Ready T2/T5 is a high-end tire, available exclusively in a tubeless version—unlike the S-Works Turbo, which is offered in both tubed and tubeless versions. Both models use the same Grifton T2/T5 rubber compound, the same 120 TPI casing, and the same BlackBelt puncture-resistant strip beneath the tread. However, the Mondo differs from the Turbo in a few details that enhance its durability and strength, as well as in the available widths. Both tires are succeeded in the lineup by the S-Works Turbo RapidAir 2BR for the tubeless version and by the Turbo Cotton for the tube-type version, which are slightly thinner and lighter.

The S-Works Mondo 2Bliss Ready T2/T5 is therefore available in 700×28, 700×32, and 700×35. On Shimano Ultegra wheels with an internal width of 21 mm, the 700×32 test version actually measures 34.5 mm in width. It’s ideal for filling the significant gap between the wheels and the frame or head tube of the gravel bike I use on the road during the winter. However, it’s slightly less effective aerodynamically, as the tire bulges out over the rim, significantly exceeding its 28 mm outer width. 

The tire’s weight can also be a drawback for road use, since the S-Works Mondo 2Bliss Ready T2/T5 tips the scales at 360 g in the 700×32 size, compared to the advertised weight of 330 g for this size. Add 30 or 40 g of sealant and you’re nearly at 400 g per wheel—about 100 g more than a high-end tire-and-tube setup (though with a narrower profile, of course).

More Protection on the Sidewalls Compared to the S-Works Turbo, the S-Works Mondo features an additional protective layer on the sidewalls, which partly explains its extra weight. The tread pattern is slightly different and also extends further along the sidewalls, providing more protection on the tire shoulders. Although the two tires are difficult to compare in this regard, the S-Works Mondo also offers excellent traction on wet and cold surfaces. But just like the S-Works Turbo, the center tread—designed to minimize rolling resistance—is quite hard, so it tends to offer less grip during certain braking maneuvers or when standing on the pedals on slippery surfaces. This may feel unsettling at first, until you realise you shouldn’t hesitate to lean the tyre into the turn to gain more grip, thereby engaging its shoulders, which feature a softer compound.

Of course, tire pressure plays a key role here. The recommended pressure for these 32 tires is 3.5 to 5.5 bar. I admit I’ve mostly ridden at the maximum pressure, since I can’t seem to shake my old road bike habits. But I’ve also noticed that at around 4 bar, the tires tend to deform more during weight shifts and whenever I stand up to pedal hard. In short, by lowering the pressure with a tire cross-section that forms a bulge on the rim, you gain comfort at the expense of performance—and vice versa when you increase the pressure. That said, when it comes to traction, I quickly got the hang of these tires, even after numerous rides on wet surfaces. Anyone who lives in northern France will understand what I mean, given this particularly rainy winter!

All-purpose tires

After a few rides, I also got a sense of how durable these tires are—they show very little wear despite a series of challenging conditions. So I gradually ventured onto the shoulders, never hesitated to take even the muddiest bike paths, and even attempted a few forays onto dirt roads. The S-Works Mondo tires came through with flying colors every time, demonstrating their durability and stability. I’d already gotten a first glimpse of their capabilities during the Roubaix SL8 test in September, when we rode on some very rough trails. But I wonder if November and December weren’t ultimately worse in terms of conditions than what I’d experienced in Portugal.

With these tires, I only had two rear-tire flats over 2,500 km, but each time the tubeless sealant allowed me to finish the ride without having to stop. After the second flat, though, I noticed a slow leak, so I ended up inserting a plug, which instantly repaired the tire. True endurance tires

The S-Works Mondo tires really won me over with their durability and the sense of security they provide—both in terms of grip and their ability to handle heavily muddied roads without constantly risking a flat. These tires are ideal for long-distance rides without too much worry, or for riding in winter under challenging conditions. Compared to the S-Works Turbo in the same price range, the Mondo has slightly higher rolling resistance and is heavier. But it offers better traction and better puncture protection (especially along the edges). Of course, the 32 mm width tested here adds even more versatility, although the 28 mm width ultimately seems to me to offer the best compromise for winter training and racing.

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