Specialized have produced a limited edition run of their recently revised, top-end S-Works Turbo road tyre. Produced to celebrate the 2013 Tour of Britain, it features a small Union Jack on the sidewall, but that's where the exclusivity ends – the rest of the limited edition tyre (£50/US$65/AU$99.95) is identical to its regular cousin.
Width is up to 24mm from last year's 23mm model. Specialized say that at 24mm they get the best compromise for low rolling resistance and drag on modern deep dish wheels.
The clincher version shown here comes in at a claimed 205g, although tipped our scales at 211g. There's also a 26mm version of the clincher that's said to weigh 220g. Tubular and tubeless versions are available – both are 24mm wide and weigh in at a claimed 270g and 250g respectively.
Another big influence on rolling resistance is the tread pattern. Unlike the previous S-Works Turbo, which had a totally slick surface, the 2013 tyre gets a fine tread pattern that extends into the sidewall – that's to offer more traction at extreme lean angles.
The tyre uses a 220tpi casing, while a new version of Specialized's BlackBelt protection has been used to offer increased cut and puncture resistance. The S-Works Turbo also sports a new rubber compound, known as Gripton.
Specialized say they've tested the Turbo against their own previous designs and benchmark tyres from competitors. It's also thoroughly race proven, with the likes of Mark Cavendish, Tony Martin and Tom Boonen racing and winning on different variations of the rubber.
The new tread pattern extends into the sidewall of the tyre
