CX/Gravel Tire Test: Specialized S-Works Pathfinder 2Bliss Ready 42

According to Specialized, the S-Works version of the Pathfinder is even faster than the Pathfinder Pro (read our review) that we tested a while back. The Pathfinder S-Works comes with the same tread pattern (with lower knobs) and the same casing with BlackBelt anti-puncture layer under the tread. What's different is the GRID RACE sidewall reinforcement and an upgraded T5/T7 Gripton dual compound.

The main improvement over the Pathfinder Pro is found in the weight department, as we found the Pathfinder Pro to be quite a heavy tire for its size. The S-Works version shaves off a massive 105 grams per tire for the same tire size, making it more competitive with other tires and more suitable for those who care about weight.

Unlike the Pathfinder Pro, which is available in a couple of different sizes, the S-Works version of the Pathfinder is only available in the 42-622 size. That's probably not a big issue for most but something to be aware of.

We've run the S-Works version of the Pathfinder through all our tests, including the wet grip tests. We're still re-testing wet grip of all CX/Gravel tires, and we'll add the data to the database when we've done a batch of tests, but it's going to take some time to test all 44 CX/Gravel tires. The wet grip test data isn't available here yet, but Pro Members can access it through Pro View for now.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Specialized
Model	S-Works Pathfinder 2Bliss Ready
Year	2022
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	Very High
Buy At
Manufacturer part number	00022-4451
TPI	120
Compound	Gripton T5/T7
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	42-622
Specified Weight	435 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	65
Made In	Members Only
Available Sizes	42-622 (700x42c)

Specialized S-Works Pathfinder 2Bliss Ready 42 Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	435 grams
Measured Weight	438 grams
Measured Width Casing	41 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	40 mm
Measured Height	40 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center	0.0 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	1.2 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	2.30 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall	Members Only
All size measurements are taken at low air pressure on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

Rolling Resistance Test Results

Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube	None (30 ml sealant) (current protocol)	Conti Cross28 (160 gr) (test protocol)
Measured Width	41 mm	41 mm
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 66 psi/4.6 bar 33-35 = 60 psi/4.1 bar 36-38 = 54 psi/3.7 bar 39-42 = 50 psi/3.4 bar 43-46 = 46 psi/3.2 bar 47-50 = 42 psi/2.9 barHigh Air Pressure (50 psi / 3.4 bar)	Members Only	Members Only
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 55 psi/3.8 bar 33-35 = 50 psi/3.4 bar 36-38 = 45 psi/3.1 bar 39-42 = 42 psi/2.9 bar 43-46 = 38 psi/2.6 bar 47-50 = 35 psi/2.4 barMedium Air Pressure (42 psi / 2.9 bar)	Members Only	Members Only
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 44 psi/3.0 bar 33-35 = 40 psi/2.8 bar 36-38 = 36 psi/2.6 bar 39-42 = 33 psi/2.3 bar 43-46 = 31 psi/2.1 bar 47-50 = 28 psi/1.9 barLow Air Pressure (33 psi / 2.3 bar)	20.2 Watts CRR: 0.00606	24.0 Watts CRR: 0.00719
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 33 psi/2.3 bar 33-35 = 30 psi/2.1 bar 36-38 = 27 psi/1.9 bar 39-42 = 25 psi/1.7 bar 43-46 = 23 psi/1.6 bar 47-50 = 21 psi/1.4 barExtra Low Air Pressure (25 psi / 1.7 bar)	24.0 Watts CRR: 0.00719	29.0 Watts CRR: 0.00869
The CX/Gravel section is a multi tire size section, air pressures have been adjusted to the measured casing width. All numbers are for a single tire at a speed of 29 km/h / 18 mph and a load of 42.5 kg / 94 lbs. Use the formula: RR (Watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load.

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread	47 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Members Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness	2.30 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Members Only
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Members Only
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness	Members Only

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results

Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average	78 Points
Wet Grip Center	Members Only
Wet Grip Edge	Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center	0.0 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	1.2 mm
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 CX/Gravel grip test rim width = 23.0 mm
Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info)

Conclusion

Even though we've only tested wet grip of 17 out of 44 CX/Gravel tires up to now, it's already evident the Gripton compound offers tons of (wet) grip. Both the Pathfinder Pro, Pathfinder S-Works, and the Roubaix Pro, which all come with some form of the Gripton compound, offer outstanding grip in our test. We'll test wet grip of more CX/Gravel tires soon (available through Pro View for now), but we don't expect many tires to get up to the level of the Gripton compound tires.

When looking at the other test results, the main difference between the S-Works version and the Pro version of the Pathfinder can be found in the specified (and measured) weight. The weight reduction comes from the halving of the knob height from 2.0 - 2.4 mm to 1.0 - 1.2 mm and reducing the compound "fill" on the sidewalls.

We can't confirm the claimed reduction in rolling resistance, but it's probably as good as it gets with a compound that grips this well. The weight reduction will give a performance boost, and we would prefer the S-Works version over the Pro version any day for the slight price increase.

RATING: 5.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Highly Recommended

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