CX/Gravel Tire Test: Specialized S-Works Pathfinder 2Bliss Ready 42

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  • Specialized S-Works Pathfinder 2Bliss Ready 42
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is best)
Pro Members get 11-point radar charts

Specialized S-Works Pathfinder 2Bliss Ready 42 road bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

According to Specialized, the S-Works version of the Pathfinder is even faster than the Pathfinder Pro (read our review) that we tested a while back. The Pathfinder S-Works comes with the same tread pattern (with lower knobs) and the same casing with BlackBelt anti-puncture layer under the tread. What's different is the GRID RACE sidewall reinforcement and an upgraded T5/T7 Gripton dual compound.


The main improvement over the Pathfinder Pro is found in the weight department, as we found the Pathfinder Pro to be quite a heavy tire for its size. The S-Works version shaves off a massive 105 grams per tire for the same tire size, making it more competitive with other tires and more suitable for those who care about weight.


Unlike the Pathfinder Pro, which is available in a couple of different sizes, the S-Works version of the Pathfinder is only available in the 42-622 size. That's probably not a big issue for most but something to be aware of.


We've run the S-Works version of the Pathfinder through all our tests, including the wet grip tests. We're still re-testing wet grip of all CX/Gravel tires, and we'll add the data to the database when we've done a batch of tests, but it's going to take some time to test all 44 CX/Gravel tires. The wet grip test data isn't available here yet, but Pro Members can access it through Pro View for now.


Manufacturer Specifications


Manufacturer Specs
Brand Specialized
Model S-Works Pathfinder 2Bliss Ready
Year 2022
Supplied By Bought in store
New or Used New
Mileage 0 km
Price Range Very High
Buy At
Manufacturer part number 00022-4451
TPI 120
Compound Gripton T5/T7
Bead Folding
ETRTO 42-622
Specified Weight 435 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi) 65
Made In Members Only
Available Sizes 42-622 (700x42c)

Specialized S-Works Pathfinder 2Bliss Ready 42 Test Results

Specialized S-Works Pathfinder 2Bliss Ready 42  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements


Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight 435 grams
Measured Weight 438 grams
Measured Width Casing 41 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread 40 mm
Measured Height 40 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center 0.0 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 1.2 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) 2.30 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall Members Only
All size measurements are taken at low air pressure on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

Rolling Resistance Test Results


Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube None (30 ml sealant)

(current protocol)
Conti Cross28 (160 gr)

(test protocol)
Measured Width 41 mm 41 mm
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 66 psi/4.6 bar
33-35 = 60 psi/4.1 bar
36-38 = 54 psi/3.7 bar
39-42 = 50 psi/3.4 bar
43-46 = 46 psi/3.2 bar
47-50 = 42 psi/2.9 bar
High Air Pressure

(50 psi / 3.4 bar)
Members OnlyMembers Only
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 55 psi/3.8 bar
33-35 = 50 psi/3.4 bar
36-38 = 45 psi/3.1 bar
39-42 = 42 psi/2.9 bar
43-46 = 38 psi/2.6 bar
47-50 = 35 psi/2.4 bar
Medium Air Pressure

(42 psi / 2.9 bar)
Members OnlyMembers Only
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 44 psi/3.0 bar
33-35 = 40 psi/2.8 bar
36-38 = 36 psi/2.6 bar
39-42 = 33 psi/2.3 bar
43-46 = 31 psi/2.1 bar
47-50 = 28 psi/1.9 bar
Low Air Pressure

(33 psi / 2.3 bar)
20.2 Watts
CRR: 0.00606
24.0 Watts
CRR: 0.00719
Rolling Resistance
Real tire width in mm:
30-32 = 33 psi/2.3 bar
33-35 = 30 psi/2.1 bar
36-38 = 27 psi/1.9 bar
39-42 = 25 psi/1.7 bar
43-46 = 23 psi/1.6 bar
47-50 = 21 psi/1.4 bar
Extra Low Air Pressure

(25 psi / 1.7 bar)
24.0 Watts
CRR: 0.00719
29.0 Watts
CRR: 0.00869
The CX/Gravel 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

Specialized S-Works Pathfinder 2Bliss Ready 42  mountain bike tire on a rolling resistance test machine
Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread 47 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 2.30 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle Members Only
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle Members Only
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness Members Only

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results

Specialized S-Works Pathfinder 2Bliss Ready road bike tire on a grip test machine
Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average 78 Points
Wet Grip Center Members Only
Wet Grip Edge Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center 0.0 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge 1.2 mm
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100
CX/Gravel grip test rim width = 23.0 mm
Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info)

Conclusion


  • Specialized S-Works Pathfinder 2Bliss Ready 42
Performance compared to all other CX/Gravel tires
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)

Pro Members get 11-point radar charts

Even though we've only tested wet grip of 17 out of 44 CX/Gravel tires up to now, it's already evident the Gripton compound offers tons of (wet) grip. Both the Pathfinder Pro, Pathfinder S-Works, and the Roubaix Pro, which all come with some form of the Gripton compound, offer outstanding grip in our test. We'll test wet grip of more CX/Gravel tires soon (available through Pro View for now), but we don't expect many tires to get up to the level of the Gripton compound tires.


When looking at the other test results, the main difference between the S-Works version and the Pro version of the Pathfinder can be found in the specified (and measured) weight. The weight reduction comes from the halving of the knob height from 2.0 - 2.4 mm to 1.0 - 1.2 mm and reducing the compound "fill" on the sidewalls.


We can't confirm the claimed reduction in rolling resistance, but it's probably as good as it gets with a compound that grips this well. The weight reduction will give a performance boost, and we would prefer the S-Works version over the Pro version any day for the slight price increase.


RATING: 5.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended


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