The S-Works Mondo is Specialized's answer to the request for training tires that combine endurance-tire durability and puncture resistance with a 120TPI carcass and the 2Bliss bead design that eases tubeless setup . It's the road-and-mixed-surface tire in the S-Works range built to soak up long miles rather than chase the last few grams, and the 35mm option opens the door to smoother dirt roads and hardpack detours without changing wheels. If you want one tire that handles training blocks, wet-weather rides, and the occasional stretch of gravel on the way home, this is where Specialized points you.

The tread uses a Gripton T2 rubber compound down the slick central strip and softer Gripton T5 on the shoulders , so the harder center compound handles wear during straight-line miles while the softer edges hook up when you lean the bike over. The tiny knobs along the edge of the tire flex under pressure and help on softer surfaces where maximum grip isn't reached on smooth pavement , which is why this tread pattern works across pavement, wet chip-seal, and light dirt without feeling like a compromise on any of them.

Puncture protection is where the Mondo separates itself from lighter race tires. An extra layer of BlackBelt anti-puncture material sits under the center tread, and the sidewalls are reinforced with Grid Race fabric , which is the same casing Specialized reserves for this tire in the current range. The result is a casing built to survive winter debris, broken pavement, and the occasional flint without the ride-quality penalty of a heavy touring tire.... Read More