Specialized S-works Turbo Rapidair 2Bliss Ready £65

Specialized has two tubeless-ready tyres that sit within £5 of each other – a set of Turbo Road Tubeless and the Rapidair models on test here. The main difference is variation in the threads per inch count. Our Rapidair 2Bliss test models come with a 120 TPI count compared to 180 on the top-end models. Typically, tubeless tyres have to have a lower count than clincher tyres so the side walls are stiffer to form a better seal.

Setting up the tyres tubeless on the test rims couldn’t have been easier, only requiring minor thumb work – something that cannot be said of all tubeless-ready tyres – and a compressor. A daily pressure loss of just a few PSI meant we didn’t need to grab the track pump before every ride.

Specialized recommend running between 85-100psi which is more than many would choose to run a tubeless tyre. We’ve stuck to our standard lower pressures and have had no problems, either with the seal or squirminess when diving into corners.

The tyres offer a comfortable ride quality, despite a lower TPI than direct competitors, although they’ve proven to be less resilient than most of the other tyres. We’re yet to have an instance where we’ve

relied on the sealant to plug a hole, but the tyre has become nicked and cut, despite Specialized’s Blackbelt cutresistant breaker. Slight signs of wear, such as sidewall cracking, are beginning to show after just over 1,000 kilometres.

Tested in 26mm width, the Rapidair tyre rolled with ease and when paired with our test wheels, had a great profile that was reassuringly wide. They roll with the addictive pace of high-end tyres and complement a speedy bike.

While £65 is a lot of money for a tyre, it’s in line with the latest offerings from Continental and Vittoria. Specialized do offer an alternative Turbo 2Bliss tyre for £35, although it can only be used on hooked rims and not hookless designs. Options: 26, 28mm specialized.com