Specialized Eliminator BLCK DMND 2.6in rear tyre review

I’ve found that Specialized’s popular GRID casing tyres have become more prone to burping and squirming when pushed hard in recent years. The newer, thicker, BLCK DMND casing is a better bet for aggressive riding, though.

Although heavy, the Eliminator is among the faster-rolling tyres even in this large, thick-casing variant.

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In my tests, it rolled almost as fast as Schwalbe’s Hans Dampf and slightly faster than a Maxxis Aggressor in DoubleDown casing. This is probably thanks to its ramped and tightly-packed centre tread.

The rounded shape helps it carve through flat turns predictably, while the thick casing provides a reassuringly secure and stable feel when pushed hard into hardpack berms, even at very low pressures.

Braking grip is good on rocky ground where it stays settled over bumps thanks to the large, well-damped casing and heavily siped centre-tread.

It’s not the best in loose or muddy conditions, where it breaks free in corners easier than some of its competitors, such as Michelin’s Wild Enduro rear and even Schwalbe’s Hans Dampf.

When used in combination with Specialized’s super-aggressive Hillbilly up front this resulted in an overly tail-happy setup in the wet.

But for predominantly rocky terrain without too much mud, the Eliminator is a strong choice.

• This tyre was tested as part of a group test. All tyres were tested back-to-back on the same tracks, keeping all other variables as consistent as possible to ensure our findings are as reliable and accurate as they can be.