Road Bike Tire Test: Specialized S-Works Turbo RapidAir 2Bliss Ready 26
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 9.7 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 40 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 73 Points
- Conclusion: 4.3 / 5 Recommended
- Comments
- Specialized S-Works Turbo RapidAir 2Bliss Ready 26
(100% is best)
NOTE: We have a test available of a newer version of this tire: Specialized S-Works Turbo RapidAir 2Bliss Ready T2/T5 2022
NOTE: We added wet grip test data on 2021-11-26. The rating of the Specialized RapidAir 2Bliss Ready has been upgraded by 0.3 points because of very good results in the grip test.
The S-Works Turbo RapidAir 2Bliss Ready is a tubeless road bike tire from Specialized made for all-round conditions (see our conclusion about the all-round part). The RapidAir is the tire that received the most votes from our members in October, which indicates that many people want to see how this tire performs in our tests. We want to thank all our members for subscribing, we're very curious which tires will make it to the top of the list in the future.
The foundation of the RapidAir is a 120 TPI "RapidAir" tubeless-ready casing with an extra layer of puncture resistance material under the tread, which is quite a familiar recipe for an all-round road bike tire. The compound is Specialized's in-house developed Gripton compound that is used on many of their high-performance tires. Our previous experience with the Gripton compound is Specialized's Turbo Cotton (read our review) that was one of the fastest tires out there when we tested it back in 2016.
The special thing about this tire is the RapidAir technology that promises easy inflation which in most cases should be possible with just a floor pump. Our experience with the set up of tubeless tires is that the rim makes a huge difference in ease of inflation as some rims simply have been designed with tubeless (inflation) in mind.
On our standard test rim, which is easy to get the tires on the rim but can be a pain to get them inflated, getting the RapidAir onto the rim took average force but inflation was very easy. We also tried a simple floor pump and it inflated very easily even with the valve core in place. The RapidAir was a very pleasant tire to test as we've had tires on this rim that wouldn't even inflate with the valve core removed, 10 bars of compressed air, and sealant all over the place
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Specialized |
| Model | S-Works Turbo RapidAir 2Bliss Ready |
| Year | 2020 |
| Tire Type | Tubeless |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | Very High |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | 00019-1152 |
| TPI | 120 |
| Compound | Gripton |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 26-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 26 |
| Specified Weight | 265 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 100 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
26-622 (700x26c) 28-622 (700x28c) 30-622 (700x30c) |
Specialized S-Works Turbo RapidAir 2Bliss Ready 26 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 265 grams |
| Measured Weight | 261 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + valve + rim seal) |
281 grams |
| Measured Width | 26 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 23 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 2.2 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| Unmounted Casing Width | 65 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 | 26 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 (120 psi / 8.3 bar) |
9.7 Watts CRR: 0.00291 |
| 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 (100 psi / 6.9 bar) |
10.5 Watts CRR: 0.00315 |
| 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 (80 psi / 5.5 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 (60 psi / 4.1 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 | 40 Points |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Members Only |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | 9 Points |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 2.2 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
NOTE: Grip test data is only available on tires tested after November 2018. You can find more information about our grip test here: Introducing Grip Testing
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | 73 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 Turbo RapidAir 2Bliss Ready 26
(100% is best)
The Specialized Turbo RapidAir is a very fast tubeless road bike tire although drop-off at lower air pressures is slightly higher than some other tires. Specialized claims the Turbo RapidAir is an all-round road bike tire which we don't completely agree with as our definition of an all-round road bike tire requires a tread thickness of at least 2.6 mm.
The best part of the RapidAir is the easy inflation which sometimes can be a real pain with tubeless tires. If you don't mind the slightly lower tread thickness and possibly lower puncture resistance, we're sure you'll be flying on these tires.
RATING:
4.3
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Recommended