SPECIALIZED Hardrock'r Wirebead MTB Tyre

T5, T7 or T9: which Specialized MTB compound should I choose?

They go from fast to grippy. T5 is Specialized’s fast-rolling race compound; T7 is firmer rubber that, per Specialized, prioritises rolling speed and longevity while keeping excellent grip; T9 is its high-damping compound that reduces chatter, rebounds slowly and grips in all conditions. Dual compounds combine them: T5/T7 (fast centre, grippier shoulders) for XC, T7/T9 for gravity. As a rule of thumb from Specialized’s own pairings, the grippier compound goes on the front.

Flex Lite, Grid Lite, Grid Trail or Grid Gravity: which casing?

They go from lightest to toughest. Flex Lite is Specialized’s lightest, fastest casing, for XC racing. Grid Lite adds sidewall protection and is, in Specialized’s words, its fastest, most robust XC and trail casing. Grid Trail adds bead-to-bead protection for puncture resistance and sidewall stiffness on trail bikes. Grid Gravity is a two-ply casing for enduro, bike park and downhill; the Radial versions add the Sweet Spot Ply angle for a larger footprint. Heavier casings protect more but weigh more: compare the claimed weights in each tyre’s specifications.

Which Specialized MTB tyres go front and rear?

Specialized publishes its own pairings: Trail Control Grid Lite T7 front with Ground Control Grid Lite T5/T7 rear for fast rolling and control; Trail Control Grid Lite T7 front and rear for light grip with low rolling resistance; Trail Control Grid Lite T9 front with Trail Control Grid Trail T7 rear for grip and durability in aggressive riding. The Eliminator is designed as a rear tyre.

Are the tyre weights exact?

They are Specialized’s claimed weights for each size. Real tyres vary a little from one to another, as with any brand, and tubeless setups add sealant. We only list weights Specialized publishes; where it doesn’t, or where its own figures don’t add up, we leave the weight out.