Specialized Terra Pro 2Bliss Ready test: Specialized recommends the Specialized Terra Pro 2Bliss tubeless tire for deep soils, but the Terra can do even more. Easy running and smooth rolling give it all-round properties that should arouse the curiosity of ambitious crossers.
Like many major bike manufacturers, Specialized offers a comprehensive range of accessories, in which the tires naturally occupy a special position: a sporty, narrow touring tire was the first product to be sold under the Specialized name more than 40 years ago. To date, the range has grown to over 70 different tire models, and Specialized need not shy away from comparison to the specialist manufacturers, as positive test results show again and again.
Specialized Terra Pro 2Bliss Ready: On par with the tubeless specialists
The Americans also have a lot to offer in the “Cyclocross” market segment; After all, the company's own cross-country bikes shouldn't roll on other brands. In order to be able to enjoy the Specialized Terra Pro 2Bliss Ready that we tested, however, cyclists have to invest quite a lot: Only the Crux Elite X1 for 3.299 euros is equipped with the tubeless tires. It's a shame, because as we've seen on a non-Specialized bike, these tires are on par with established tubeless experts.
Compared to last year, the Specialized Terra Pro 2Bliss Ready has significantly revised its profile: the profile blocks have become smaller and have changed their arrangement; In addition, they now have a small "edge" that is probably intended to further improve grip. This is the mud tire in the Specialized triad of Trigger (solid ground), Tracer (all-rounder) and of course Terra. The open profile that promises good self-cleaning has remained. The almost 390 grams of the Terra Pro are standard for a 33 cross tire - less weight is hardly possible if you want to ensure a reasonably robust carcass.
With tubeless tires, the assembly is already exciting. Not all of them sit tightly and roundly on the rim, some can hardly be levered over their horn. With the Specialized Terra Pro 2Bliss Ready, however, it is not difficult to mount: A little assembly fluid and the tire slides into the rim base – we don’t even have to use a tire lever. There it sits so tight that we can fill it with a normal floor pump without air hissing out anywhere; after it has settled with a loud pop, it holds the pressure even without sealant - it is of course still filled in in a second step.
Specialized Terra Pro 2Bliss Ready: Rolls smoothly and easily even on asphalt
Specialized specifies 45 psi as the minimum pressure, 3,1 bar to be precise. Of course, you don't get very far off-road with that; we venture out with 2,3 bar at the rear and 2,1 bar at the front – by the way, the tire is exactly 33 mm wide at this pressure. Already on the introductory piece of asphalt, the tire reveals a peculiarity worth mentioning: It rolls off very smoothly – something that you wouldn't necessarily believe its 60 TPI carcass to be capable of. For a mud tire, it rolls quietly and easily even on rock-hard ground. He sits snugly on the rim; even with rather low pressure, it does not appear spongy when cornering.
We chose dry weather for our test, although the forest floor has by no means digested the rain of the past few days. Wet leaves and the tire tracks of the forestry vehicles improve the test conditions even further.
Already on the first slippery steep section it becomes clear: The tire lives up to its rubber compound "Gripton" with very good grip. When pedaling out of the saddle with high torque, the tire literally sticks in the mud; the shoulder lugs prevent it from becoming slippery when leaning. And if it breaks out, it is so predictable that you can take countermeasures. The open profile doesn't tend to clog, rather it immediately passes out-of-context soil to the frame and rider.
The supple carcass is also noticeable off-road. Roots, stones and transverse water drainage channels are swallowed up rather than letting the wheels jump, which of course can lead to a puncture - but this is not very dangerous with tubeless tires as long as the rim is not damaged. At just over 2 bar, the Specialized Terra Pro 2Bliss Ready gives you a lot of feel for the ground; if you feel unsure about it, pump it up.
Specialized Terra Pro 2Bliss Ready: worth a try for 39,90 euros
The Specialized tire may be designed as a mud tire; but as an ambitious crosser you can confidently use it as an all-rounder. In autumn and winter, conditions like the ones we found on our test lap are unfortunately the norm; it will probably only get much drier in the forest if there is permafrost. And then you can still get along well with the Specialized Terra Pro 2Bliss Ready thanks to its smooth running. On the other hand, changing between different tire profiles is comparatively cheap with Specialized: Terra, Tracer and Trigger in the Pro 2Bliss Ready version each cost 39,90 euros - a pretty good price for tubeless tires with these rolling characteristics. If you want to create a new profile, you should try this one.
