Specialized 2025 Tires: Race-Tested, Rider-Approved
If you’ve spent any time on a bike, you know that your tires are the only thing between you and the road (or dirt). That little patch of rubber is what keeps you upright, moving forward, and cornering with confidence. Specialized knows this too, and with nearly 50 years of tire development behind them, they’ve just dropped their 2025 lineup—their fastest, lightest, and most durable tires ever.
This is rubber that’s been tested in the heat of competition, from World Cup XC races to the brutal cobbles of Paris-Roubaix. Specialized tires racked up 62 World Tour wins in 2024 alone, and every one of those victories fed into the refinement of this new lineup. So, what’s new for 2025? Let’s break it down.
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Gravel: Speed Meets Capability
Pathfinder TLR: The Gravel Speed Machine
Gravel racing keeps getting faster, and the Pathfinder TLR is keeping pace. With an updated slick center tread and beefed-up side knobs, it rolls 19% faster than the previous Pathfinder Pro 2BR. Specialized also made the casing 14% more cut-resistant, meaning you can hit chunky gravel without worrying about flats.
Tracer TLR: Versatility for Mixed Terrain
If you need a gravel tire that’s ready for mixed or loose terrain, the Tracer TLR delivers with a new tread pattern for better traction and stability. It’s still fast, but now it’s more capable when things get rough.
Terra TLR: Built for the Roughest Gravel
For those venturing onto the gnarliest terrain, the Terra TLR brings mountain bike-inspired tread to gravel. With aggressive knobs and improved durability, this is the tire for riders who push the limits.
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Road: Speed and Efficiency
RapidAir TLR: The Fastest Road Tire Yet
If you’re looking for pure speed, the new RapidAir TLR is the one. This is Specialized’s ultimate race-day tire, designed to shave every last watt of rolling resistance. Thanks to an optimized tread and a super-clean sidewall, it’s 33 seconds faster over 40km than its predecessor.
With a GRIPTON T2 compound in the center for maximum rolling efficiency and T5 shoulders for cornering grip, this tire doesn’t just move fast—it grips fast. And at 220g for the 700x26 version, it’s the lightest production tubeless road tire out there.
S-Works Turbo TLR: Speed Meets Durability
For those who want race-ready performance but with extra durability, the S-Works Turbo TLR is Specialized’s go-to. It rolls 10% faster than the outgoing Turbo 2BR while also shedding 20 grams. Its optimized tread balances speed with puncture resistance, making it ideal for everything from crits to long-haul road races.
Mondo TLR: The All-Conditions Endurance Monster
Calling it an endurance tire doesn’t do it justice. The Mondo TLR is built to handle rough roads, big miles, and even the chaos of Paris-Roubaix. Specialized has dialed in a balance of speed, grip, and long-lasting durability that makes it just as comfortable on fast group rides as it is on backroad adventures. For premium performance without tubeless compatibility, at a lower price, look at the Mondo Folding.
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Trail & Enduro: Maximum Grip and Confidence
Butcher: The Ultimate Front Tire
When it comes to aggressive trail and enduro riding, Butcher is the gold standard. It’s grippy, confidence-inspiring, and now features 12% more contact surface for even better cornering and control.
Eliminator: The Perfect Rear Tire
Paired with the Butcher, the Eliminator brings a balance of rolling speed and braking traction. With new tread spacing and more durable casings, these tires give you the grip you need to go full send.
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XC: Lightweight Speed and Control
Air Trak: The Fastest XC Tire Yet
XC racing is all about maximizing speed, and the new Air Trak does just that. Borrowing the tread cluster from the Renegade but with a lighter, more efficient casing, it’s 60 grams lighter while rolling faster and gripping harder. For hardpack XC courses, this is the tire to beat.
Fast Trak: Versatility for All-Condition XC
Not every XC race is smooth and dry, and that’s where the Fast Trak comes in. Its Block-In-Block tread design balances speed with control, and the new casings save up to 110g over previous versions. Whether you’re racing or training, this tire covers all the bases.
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What’s the Secret? GRIPTON & Casing Tech
Tires aren’t just about tread patterns—rubber compounds and casings make a massive difference. Specialized has refined their GRIPTON rubber compounds, balancing rolling speed and grip with a range of T2, T5, T7, and T9 compounds:
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T2: Fastest rolling for center tread on road tires.
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T5: Balanced grip and speed for road and gravel shoulders.
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T7: XC and trail blend of grip and compliance.
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T9: Maximum grip and slow rebound for enduro and downhill.
For 2025, Specialized has pushed performance even further by introducing dual-compound designs in several tires. These new formulations combine:
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T2/T5 (Road & Gravel): A fast-rolling T2 center strip with T5 shoulders for enhanced grip in corners.
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T5/T7 (XC & Trail): A T5 center strip for efficiency with T7 shoulders for improved traction.
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T7/T9 (Enduro & Downhill): A T7 center for rolling speed and T9 shoulders for maximum grip and control in technical terrain.
They’ve also overhauled their casings:
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RapidAir Casing: Lighter, faster, and suppler for road racing.
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Grid Lite & Flex Lite: Lighter and stronger XC casings.
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Grid Trail & Gravity: Maximum durability for aggressive trail and enduro riding.
Final Thoughts: The Best Just Got Better
Specialized has always made some of the best tires in the game, but the 2025 lineup takes things to another level. Whether you’re racing crits, crushing gravel, or shredding singletrack, there’s a tire that’s been tested at the highest levels to give you the grip, speed, and durability you need.
If you’re in the market for new rubber, the only question is: how fast do you want to go?
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