Specialized has unveiled two new radial-casing mountain bike tyres aimed at riders tackling natural, technical terrain who want more grip and comfort without dropping pressures.
Separating grip from support has always been the challenge in tyre design, and casing behaviour is a logical place to look for gains.
The new Grid Gravity Radial tyres, available in Butcher and Eliminator tread patterns are designed for trail riders prioritising traction and terrain feedback on roots, rocks and off-camber trails.
However, Specialized says riders hitting bike parks or favouring a firmer, more supported feel may be better off sticking with Specialized’s standard Grid Gravity casing.
At the heart of the new tyres is what Specialized calls a 'Sweet Spot Ply' construction. Rather than relying on pressure to tune performance, the brand has altered the casing thread angle to change how the tyre deforms and supports loads on the trail.
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What’s new here?
The key change is in the casing, not the tread or compound.
Specialized has increased the casing thread angle to around 70 degrees, compared to roughly 45–50 degrees on typical mountain bike tyres.
Specialized’s data claims the shift reduces radial stiffness by around 30 per cent, enabling the tyre to conform better to the ground and track uneven terrain more closely.
Crucially, Specialized says lateral stiffness drops by only 7 per cent, so the tyre should still resist folding under cornering loads or hard compressions.
Specialized also claims the new construction increases the tyre’s contact patch by around 30 per cent compared to its standard Grid Gravity casing.
In simple terms, it’s intended to deform more over bumps, while holding shape when pushed hard.
Not the first radial MTB tyre
Specialized isn’t alone in exploring radial-style casing behaviour.
Brands such as Schwalbe and Vee Tire Co have already developed tyres that move away from traditional bias-ply construction, using a more open casing angle to increase compliance and grip.
Specialized’s claim here is that it has refined that angle to a more precise 'sweet spot', aiming to balance ground conformity and cornering support more closely
A different approach to setup
The concept is designed to target a familiar problem. Lower tyre pressures can boost grip, but often reduce support and increase the risk of instability or impacts.
Specialized says its approach delivers similar gains without needing to rethink tyre pressures.
On the trail, the brand claims improved traction on roots and rocks, better vibration damping and increased control on technical terrain.
The tyres were developed at Specialized’s S-Works tyre factory, where the brand says it tested multiple casing configurations before settling on its final design.
Models, sizes and pricing
The Butcher Grid Gravity Radial T9 TLR is available in 29in and 27.5x2.4in sizes, with a claimed weight of 1,330g (29in) or 1,240g (27.5in).
The Eliminator Grid Gravity Radial T7/T9 TLR has 29 and 27.5x2.4in options, with a claimed weight of 1,330g (29in) or 1,240g (27.5in).
Pricing is set at £55 / $90 / €69 / AU$130 per tyre.
If Specialized has genuinely refined that balance more effectively, this could be a meaningful step forward. But whether riders will notice a clear difference on trail, especially compared to using other radial tyres, adjusting pressures or running inserts, is something we’ll need to test.
