Fresh Goods Sunday - Specialized Eliminator Grid Trail 2Bliss Ready T7 (29" x 2.6")

 

I was on the look out for a new pair of tyres for my Cube e hardtail mtb for a while but they had to be tubeless, 29” x 2.6”, e bike compatible and not too downhill aggressive tread pattern which did not cost a small fortune. The stock Schwable tyres were the same size but not tubeless compatible but I was running them tubeless. One had an egg on the side wall and tread was starting to get worn. When we down in Darlo on day I called in past Wheelbase Cycles for a look around and seen two Specialized tyres hidden away on a shelf at ceiling level. They were the right size, slightly too aggressive tread but were tubeless compatible and in the sale. There was one Eliminator and one Purgatory, both same size etc just different tread patterns, well beggars cannot be choosers so did a deal at £50 the pair. 

I read up on both tyres but they did not recommend to use as a front or rear so I made the decision to run this one on the front. Not sure if there is a right or wrong but the type of riding I do will never test the tyres to its full limits! The grip is unreal in all conditions and are way better than the Schawbles. On the down side they feel slower on the smoother gravel / tarmac sections which you would expect. Fitting the tyres was not too difficult, the bead was tight but not too tight. The beads seated first time with my compressor and aired up. They does loose some air over time as with all tyres but on the whole I cannot fault the tyre. There are no signs of major wear but I have not done mega miles on it. The compound does feels softer but time will tell. I cannot feel that the weight of the tyre is over a kilo when the bike is spinning along but there is alot of tyre/rubber! 

Next week will be Part 2 on the Purgatory tyre fitted to the rear. 

RRP £37.50 and I paid £25 - Wheelbase, Darlington 

Manufacturers Blurb - 

The Eliminator GRID TRAIL 2Bliss Ready T7 tire features a tread that combines an aggressive block design with a well-balanced tread pattern. Its transition knobs help bridge the traditional channel between centre and shoulder knobs, making the Eliminator extremely predictable on soft to hardpack trails. It’s perfect for enduro and E-bikes where versatility and confidence are key. Our GRID TRAIL casing is a step up from GRID with more reinforcement, delivering better handling at lower pressures—all while increasing pinch flat protection by 15% and puncture protection by 30%. Building on this solid base, the T7 GRIPTON® compound enhances rolling speed while still providing tons of grip.

• Casing: 60 TPI, tough trail construction with additional bead to bead protection for exceptional puncture resistance, sidewall stiffness and stability.
• Bead: Foldable
• Butyl wrapped bead = 2Bliss Ready
• Compound: GRIPTON® T7
• 27.5/650b x 2.3", psi 25-50, approximate weight 900g
• 27.5/650b x 2.6", psi 20-40, approximate weight 960g
• 29 x 2.3", psi 25-50, approximate weight 950g
• 29 x 2.6", psi 20-40, approximate weight 1030g