Gravel tires ask riders to pick their priorities—speed on hardpack, grip in loose corners, or mud clearance when conditions deteriorate. The Specialized Tracer TLR Gravel Tire tilts toward the aggressive end of that spectrum, using an open tread pattern with pronounced side knobs that dig into soft surfaces rather than skating across them. The design acknowledges that gravel riding often means encountering conditions that would send a file-tread tire sliding, and builds the casing and compound choices around that reality.

The tread layout places a fast-rolling center section between ramped knobs that bite when the bike leans over. Those side knobs extend outward from the casing, providing a wider contact patch at lean angles than the tire's nominal width suggests. Specialized's Gripton compound handles the rubber formulation, balancing grip against wear rates—the same compound strategy they apply across their mountain bike tire range. The 60 TPI casing provides a balance between supple ride quality and sidewall durability, though riders pushing into genuinely rocky terrain might find themselves wishing for additional protection.

Tubeless-ready construction means the Tracer runs lower pressures without pinch flat concerns, which changes how the tire interacts with loose surfaces. Drop the pressure into the low 30s on a 42mm tire and those knobs gain additional purchase as the casing conforms around obstacles rather than bouncing off them. The bead seats to tubeless-compatible rims with standard tubeless sealant and typically inflates with a floor pump, though particularly tight rim tolerances may benefit from a compressor or booster for initial seating.... Read More