Road Bike Tire Test: Specialized S-Works Mondo 2Bliss Ready T2/T5 28
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 12.8 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 64 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 74 Points
- Conclusion: 4.5 / 5 Highly Recommended
- Comments
- Specialized S-Works Mondo 2Bliss Ready T2/T5 28
(100% is best)
The S-Works Mondo 2Bliss Ready T2/T5 is a new road bike tire from Specialized that offers better durability, all-weather performance, and puncture protection when compared to their S-Works Turbo 2Bliss Ready (read our review) that comes with the same Gripton T2/T5 compound. Given both the S-Works Turbo and S-Works Mondo carry the same price tag, the Mondo is just as much of a high-end tire, but it's designed for those who demand a tire for harsher conditions.
Unlike the S-Works Turbo, available as both a tubeless-ready and a traditional tube-type tire, the S-Works Mondo is only available in tubeless-ready form (2Bliss Ready). When looking at the specifications of both tires, the S-Works Turbo and S-Works Mondo are surprisingly similar as both come with a 120 TPI casing with a BlackBelt puncture strip under the tread and the same Gripton T2/T5 compound.
There are two apparent differences, and they can be found by examining the sidewalls and the tread pattern. The sidewalls come with an extra layer of GRID Race protection that adds protection for objects larger than ~2 mm, which is an excellent move for a tubeless-ready tire where the sealant will easily seal smaller punctures. The tread pattern is not only different but also extends further along the sidewalls, which also helps to better protect against sidewall damage.
When we look at the available sizes, we also see a big difference as the S-Works Turbo is available in the 26, 28, and 30 mm sizes while the S-Works Mondo is available in the 28, 32, and 35 mm sizes, which makes it a much more versatile tire. If you're interested in the bigger sizes, we also have a test of the 35 mm version of the S-Works Mondo in our CX/Gravel section.
This is a test of the 28 mm version of the S-Works Mondo 2Bliss Ready T2/T5, and we will compare it to the 28 mm version of the S-Works Turbo 2Bliss Ready T2/T5. For comparison's sake, we've also thrown in the 26 mm RapidAir version of the S-Works Turbo and the usual "similar" tires from competing brands.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Specialized |
| Model | S-Works Mondo 2Bliss Ready T2/T5 |
| Year | 2023 |
| Tire Type | Tubeless |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | Very High |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | 00022-4601 |
| TPI | 120 |
| Compound | Gripton T2/T5 |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 28-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 28 |
| Specified Weight | 310 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 95 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
28-622 (700x28c) 32-622 (700x32c) 35-622 (700x35c) |
Specialized S-Works Mondo 2Bliss Ready T2/T5 28 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 310 grams |
| Measured Weight | 325 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + valve + rim seal) |
345 grams |
| Measured Width | 29 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 26 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 2.9 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| Unmounted Casing Width | 71 mm |
| Unmounted Tread Width | Members Only |
| Tread Cover (Tread / Casing Ratio) | Members Only |
| All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 100 psi / 6.9 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim. | |
Rolling Resistance Test Results
| Rolling Resistance Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Inner Tube | None (20 ml sealant) |
| Measured Width | 29 mm (un-round) |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 132 psi/9.1 bar 25-27 = 120 psi/8.3 bar 28-29 = 108 psi/7.4 barUltra High Air Pressure (108 psi / 7.4 bar) |
12.8 Watts CRR: 0.00384 |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 110 psi/7.6bar 25-27 = 100 psi/6.9 bar 28-29 = 90 psi/6.2 barExtra High Air Pressure (90 psi / 6.2 bar) |
13.8 Watts CRR: 0.00414 |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 88 psi/6.1 bar 25-27 = 80 psi/5.5 bar 28-29 = 72 psi/5.0 barHigh Air Pressure (72 psi /5.0 bar) |
Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 66 psi/4.6 bar 25-27 = 60 psi/4.1 bar 28-29 = 54 psi/3.7 barMedium Air Pressure (54 psi / 3.7 bar) |
Members Only |
| The Road Bike 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 | 64 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 | 2.9 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Members Only |
Static Grip Test Results
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | 74 Points |
| Wet Grip Center | Members Only |
| Wet Grip Edge | Members Only |
| Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 Road bike grip test rim width = 19.0 mm |
|
Conclusion
- Specialized S-Works Mondo 2Bliss Ready T2/T5 28
(100% is best)
The Specialized S-Works Mondo 2Bliss Ready T2/T5 performs surprisingly similar to the S-Works Turbo 2Bliss Ready T2/T5. When we look at the overall picture, you're trading some rolling resistance and lightness for increased sidewall protection and an increase in both center and edge (wet) grip. Tread puncture resistance and tread thickness come in the same, but with a score of roughly 65 points in our test, it should be good enough for a tubeless-ready tire.
Specialized looks to have a good lineup of tires with the S-Works Turbo RapidAir, S-Works Turbo, and S-Works Mondo that together cover most road bike conditions. We recommend jumping over to our comparison section, which will help you pick the right tire for your specific requirements and riding conditions.
RATING:
4.5
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended