S-WORKSS WORKS TURBO COTTON

£58.00 www.specialized.com

If you’re a sucker for a natural rubber sidewall, these 222g beauties will win regardless but you’ll be especially happy to know that they tested fast (32.6 watts). The Turbo Cotton comes in 24 and 26mm widths, so we tested both and averaged the results. The 24 is ideal for most wider aero rims; only the very widest will integrate properly with the 26 so it’s more the comfort choice. Or you could run 24 front and 26 rear for a happy compromise; the slightly reduced frontal area over a 25 should lend a marginal aero gain, too. On the road, they certainly feel fast. They’re beautifully supple, too, thanks to the 320TPI cotton casing. Most improved over the old Turbo is the grip – now there’s much where before there was little. Wet or dry, they give you confidence. They even seem robust. Shame they’re so costly.