Road Bike Tire Test: Specialized S-Works Turbo T2/T5 26
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 13.8 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 74 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 73 Points
- Conclusion: 4.0 / 5 Recommended
- Comments
- Specialized S-Works Turbo T2/T5 26
(100% is best)
The Specialized S-Works Turbo has been around for as long as we can remember. We tested the original version back in 2016 (read our review), several years after its initial introduction. Specialized recently started updating its tire lineup with their latest Gripton Tx compounds. The tube-type S-Works Turbo now comes with the same T2/T5 dual compound as the 2Bliss Ready version we tested a while back.
Although the new compound probably is the most significant update, we also see an updated tread pattern that's also used on the tubeless versions of the S-Works Turbo (Turbo 2Bliss Ready (read our review), and Turbo RapidAir 2Bliss Ready (read our review)). The casing material is still 120 TPI, but it now has the latest "hybrid-Kevlar Blackbelt" breaker under the tread. This new and updated Blackbelt breaker improves puncture resistance by roughly 8%, according to Specialized.
Specialized claims the all-new S-Works Turbo saves 4 watts of rolling resistance per set of tires over the previous S-Works Turbo. We can't confirm the 4 watts savings as our rolling resistance test indicates rolling resistance has actually increased by 1 watt for a set of tires.
Something else that's interesting is that Specialized now offers the 24-622, 26-622, 28-622, and 30-622 sizes instead of the 22-622, 24-622, 26-622, and 28-622 sizes of the older S-Works Turbo. In reality, Specialized downsized all sizes to comply with the latest ETRTO standards, and the new 26-622 size is now the same size as the 24-622 size of the old S-Works Turbo. We've seen this before with other brands; double-check the size when you're used to the size of the old one and don't want to end up with a tire that ends up smaller on your bike.
This is a test of the 26-622 S-Works Turbo T2/T5, and we'll compare it to the old 24-622 S-Works Turbo, the 28-622 2Bliss Ready version of the S-Works Turbo T2/T5, and a bunch of other tube-type tires.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Specialized |
| Model | S-Works Turbo T2/T5 |
| Year | 2023 |
| Tire Type | Tubetype (clincher) |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | 00022-1072 |
| TPI | 120 |
| Compound | Gripton T2/T5 |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 26-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 26 |
| Specified Weight | 220 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 115 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
24-622 (700x24c) 26-622 (700x26c) 28-622 (700x28c) 30-622 (700x32c) |
Specialized S-Works Turbo T2/T5 26 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 220 grams |
| Measured Weight | 233 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + inner tube (100 gr) |
333 grams |
| Measured Width | 25 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 22 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 2.9 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| Unmounted Casing Width | 62 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 | Conti Race28 (100gr butyl) |
| Measured Width | 25 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) |
13.8 Watts CRR: 0.00414 |
| 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) |
14.8 Watts CRR: 0.00444 |
| 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 | 74 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 | 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 T2/T5 26
(100% is best)
The Specialized S-Works Turbo T2/T5 performs very strongly in our tread puncture resistance tests with a solid score of 74 points. In comparison, most other tube-type tires with a similar construction and weight come in at roughly 50 points. Performance in the wet grip tests is also solid. However, just like the other Specialized tires with the same tread pattern, we see reduced edge grip due to the tread pattern consisting of tiny knobs along the tire's edge, which flexes too much and reduces contact patch.
In our other tests, we see average to strong performance, and we can't find a flaw that would prevent us from recommending this tire. As previously mentioned, one thing to be aware of is the specified and measured tire size. The new version measures very small for a 26-622 rated tire. Given the small size, weight has also increased over the previous edition of the S-Works Turbo when we compare the actual tire sizes.
RATING:
4.0
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Recommended