Specialized has updated its road tyre line-up for 2025, claiming the new tyres are faster, grippier and more puncture-resistant than ever before, with the RapidAir TLR billed as the lightest production tubeless road tyre in the world.
The new RapidAir TLR tops the line-up as a dedicated race tyre, with an updated S-Works Turbo TLR replacing the S-Works Turbo 2BR. The Mondo TLR all-season tyre is unchanged (aside from dropping the S-Works branding), but this now also comes in a tube-type version, as well as tubeless.
Specialized has dropped a whole bunch of new tyres as part of this launch, so while we've covered the new road rubber, here, there are also fresh mountain bike and gravel tyres, too, including an updated Pathfinder. Hit the links below for those:
- One of Specialized's most popular gravel race tyres has had a big update for 2025
- Specialized’s new MTB tyres could be the bargain of 2025
Back to the road, and all the new tyres are priced competitively compared to their key rivals. We’ve included a table of all the prices at the bottom of this article.
Specialized RapidAir TLR
Specialized says the RapidAir TLR is 33 seconds faster than the preceding S-Works Turbo RapidAir over 40km.
While the brand hasn’t specified at what speed this can be achieved (nor any other test parameters), it claims the tyre’s new tread pattern and “clean” sidewall design are enough to save 3 watts in rolling resistance and 2 watts in aerodynamic drag.
The tyre retains the brand’s turn-up casing design, whereby the central portion features two plies of 120 TPI (threads-per-inch) material, which are folded back to offer greater protection and support for the sidewalls.
Specialized says the thinner casing at the central portion is the key to the tyre’s low rolling resistance and suppleness, alongside the use of its fastest Gripton T2 compound. The Gripton T5 compound is used on the shoulders for cornering grip.
The tyre is said to weigh 220g in a size 700x26c, which Specialized reckons makes it the “lightest production tubeless road tire in the world” [sic].
There’s also a 700x28c model, but no option for fans of even wider tyres. The RapidAir TLR is compatible with hookless rims.
Specialized S-Works Turbo TLR
Underpinning this is the S-Works Turbo TLR, which is pitched as the brand’s all-round race tyre in place of the outgoing S-Works Turbo 2BR.
Compared to the older tyre, Specialized says the tread pattern has been tweaked to reduce rolling resistance by 10%, and it claims 20g has been shaved from the tyre (in an unspecified size).
Gripton T2 and T5 compounds have been utilised in a similar manner to the RapidAir TLR, but there’s a three-ply 120 TPI casing underneath, sandwiching a cut-resistant central strip.
These combine to offer greater puncture protection and durability, according to the brand (with an inevitable rolling resistance trade-off). The tyre is also hookless-compatible.
The S-Works Turbo TLR is available in two sizes – 700x28 and 30c – both in black and tan sidewalls. These weigh from 265g (700x28c in tan), with black sidewalls weighing 10g more in the same size.
No updated Mondo, but there’s now a clincher version
The tubeless Mondo tyre has remained unchanged, aside from dropping the S-Works branding and gaining a ‘TLR’ moniker. This is unsurprising, given the tyre launched less than two years ago.
We’ve also recently tested it, finding it to be one of the best all-season tyres available today.
That said, the addition of the TLR designation signifies the arrival of a new clincher version – where the tubeless tyre has a blend of Gripton T2 and T5 compounds, this uses Gripton T5 exclusively.
This fortifies the central portion of the tyre against punctures and offers greater grip at the higher pressures one might run in a clincher setup. It’s underpinned by a 120 TPI casing, like the TLR version.
The tyre also features bead-to-bead puncture protection, plus an additional strip down the centre tread.
We’ve weighed a Mondo TLR at 317g in a size 700x28c (7g more than claimed). This is available in three sizes – 700x28, 32 and 35c.
The clincher version is available in sizes 700x26, 28 and 32c, and weighs a claimed 260g in the narrowest size (290g in a size 700x28c).
2025 Specialized road and gravel tyre prices
The new tyres are well priced compared to the majority of the market.
The S-Works Turbo TLR costs £60 ($80 / €75), which compares to a Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR at £84.95 ($98.95 / €87.95), for example.
Here's how all of the road and gravel tyres are priced.
| Tyre model | £ | US$ | € | AU$ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid Air TLR | £75 | $100 | €90 | $140 |
| S-Works Turbo TLR | £60 | $80 | €75 | $110 |
| Mondo TLR | £55 | $80 | €70 | $110 |
| Mondo | £35 | $55 | €45 | $70 |
| Pathfinder TLR | £45 | $55 | €50 | $90 |
| Terra TLR | £45 | $55 | €50 | $90 |
| Tracer TLR | £45 | $55 | €50 | $90 |
