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With its Cotton TLR, Specialized reaches a new milestone in the world of high-performance road tires. The American brand combines the legendary suppleness of its cotton casing with the efficiency of modern tubeless technology, to offer a tire resolutely oriented towards competition.
The Cotton DNA, now in tubeless version
A high-performance tire must reconcile everything: comfort, efficiency, steering precision, and low rolling resistance. It is precisely this quest for balance that led Specialized to evolve its famous Cotton construction into a tubeless ready (TLR) architecture.
The major innovation of this Cotton TLR lies in a Polycotton 320 TPI casing, a hybrid weave combining polyester and cotton. Polyester provides elasticity and robustness, especially against tears, while cotton retains that fluid and natural rolling feel that made the model famous. The result: a particularly supple tire, lively under acceleration and precise in changes of support.
“It’s not just cotton. It’s cotton optimized by material science,” explains Nese Kaynak, Senior R&D Engineer at Specialized.
A legacy forged in time trials
The first tubed Cotton versions had already made a strong impression. In 2012, they accompanied Tony Martin to several world time trial titles. Since then, the technology has continuously evolved to culminate, in 2026, in this tubeless version designed to meet current performance standards.
Grip and efficiency: the Gripton T2/T5 recipe
The tread features the Gripton T2/T5 compound, now well-known at Specialized. The central T2 compound prioritizes efficiency and limits energy loss, while the T5 shoulders enhance grip in corners. This combination ensures an excellent compromise between pure speed and cornering safety, even at high intensity.
Compatible with hookless rims (ISO standards), the Cotton TLR guarantees good pressure retention and reliable sealing in a tubeless setup. Installation can generally be done by hand, although removal may require a tire lever.
A tire designed for racing
Priced at €99, the Cotton TLR clearly asserts its positioning: a competition tire, designed primarily for performance. This inevitably implies concessions in terms of longevity and puncture resistance compared to more versatile models.
Technical specifications – Specialized Cotton TLR
Casing: 320 TPI Poly-Cotton-Corespun
Compound: Gripton T2/T5
Construction: Tubeless Ready (TSS / hookless rim compatible)
Available widths: 28 mm, 30 mm, 32 mm
Weight: 280 g (28 mm), 290 g (30 mm), 320 g (32 mm)
Retail price: €99
Contact: specialized.com
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