Specialized Tracer Pro in review

Gravel or a Belgian mud battle? The Specialized Tracer Pro was actually born out of the cyclocross scene, but it has increased in width and evolved into a gravel tire. Can CX genes still outperform thoroughbred gravel tires? We put the all-rounder through its paces in our big gravel tire group test to find out.

Developed for cyclocross and now dominating gravel? At least the requirements are similar, and if we’re honest, the two disciplines have a lot in common. Forest soil, mud, and sand. It’s only gravel that doesn’t feature as much in cyclocross.
The futuristic-looking tire certainly seems promising and modern with its lightning tread pattern. Thanks to the shallow tread, it should be faster than the more aggressive cyclocross mud tires, which isn’t a bad thing for gravel.
Specialized have done a good job with the fit of this tire, too, as it pops onto the rim without any problems and seals off on the first try.

The best Specialized gravel tire? – Specialized Tracer Pro

Since it doesn’t promise all that much, we didn’t have high expectations of the Specialized Tracer Pro, but we were in for a surprise. The tire offers an almost perfect combination of traction and efficiency. At 14.8 W rolling resistance, it’s just under half a watt more efficient than the S-Works Pathfinder! And the Tracer Pro also plays in a different league when it comes to grip, not just sticking to the ground on gravel, hardpack, and asphalt, but also surprising our test crew off the beaten track and on the trails. In addition, the round profile makes it feel nimble in every situation.
The Tracer Pro even seems to outperform its in-house competition in terms of puncture protection, as it scored better in terms of both pinch and puncture resistance. Its compliance is top-notch, too, ranking amongst the better contenders in the test field.

Conclusion

The Specialized Tracer Pro is a textbook all-rounder, scoring well in terms of rolling resistance and traction, and also offering first-class compliance and puncture protection. Thus, the Tracer Pro doesn’t just beat its higher-end sibling, but also outperforms many of the other tires in the test field.

Tops

• lots of traction
• excellent efficiency for an all-rounder
• stylish, unique design
• good puncture protection

Flops

• somewhat heavy

Made in Thailand | Tested size 40-622 | Tire width in mm¹ 42,5 | Tire height in mm¹ 39,34 | Tire height + Test rim in mm² 84,66 | Weight 542,5 g | Price € 50,00
1 measured dimensions with 2,5 Bar, 2 Test rim: ZIPP 303s 622 x 20.3C (Rim height 45,32 mm)

For more information head to: specialized.com

In our introduction of the best gravel tire on test you can’t just find our most interesting findings and our overall conclusion, but a good view on all tires tested.

All tires on review: Challenge Getaway (Click for review) | Challenge Gravel Grinder (Click for review) | Continental Terra Speed (Click for review) | Continental Terra Trail (Click for review) | Maxxis Rambler (Click for review) | Maxxis Receptor (Click for review) | Panaracer Gravelking (Click for review) | Panaracer Gravelking Slick Plus+ (Click for review) | Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H (Click for review) | Pirelli Cinturato Gravel RC (Click for review) | Schwalbe G-One Allround (Click for review) | Schwalbe G-One R (Click for review) | Schwalbe G-One RS (Click for review) | Schwalbe G-One Ultrabite (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Pathfinder (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Tracer | Vittoria Terreno Dry (Click for review) | Vittoria Terreno Mix (Click for review) | WTB Riddler (Click for review) | WTB Byway (Click for review)

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Words: czajac Photos: Jan Richter