CX/Gravel Tire Test: Specialized Roubaix Pro 2Bliss Ready 32

NOTE: This Specialized Roubaix Pro 2Bliss Ready 30/32 was tested as a CX-Gravel tire at low air pressures and with a butyl inner tube (CX-Gravel standard protocol).

The Specialized Roubaix Pro 2 Bliss Ready in the 700 x 30/32 size is a road bike tire that's also quite popular as a gravel bike tire. What makes the Roubaix Pro usable as a gravel bike tire is its volume and the "Endurant" tubeless-ready casing that comes with bead-to-bead puncture protection.

On top of the bead-to-bead protected casing, we even find an extra layer of Specialized's "BlackBelt" anti-puncture material that adds even more protection to the center of the tread. The Roubaix Pro also comes with the Specialized Gripton compound that we've found to be one of the fastest rolling and best gripping compounds (see road bike tires overview).

The 2Bliss Ready (tubeless-ready) version of the Roubaix Pro is only available in the special 700x30/32 size, which seems to come very close to the 32-622 / 700x32c size of other tires. Specialized also carries a non 2Bliss Ready version of the Roubaix Pro, which is a bit lighter and available in the 700x23/25, 700x25/28, and 700x30/32 sizes.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Specialized
Model	Roubaix Pro 2Bliss Ready
Year	2021
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	High
Buy At
Manufacturer part number	00016-2162
TPI	120
Compound	Gripton
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	32-622
Specified Weight	375 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	90
Made In	Members Only
Available Sizes	32-622 (700x32c)

Specialized Roubaix Pro 2Bliss Ready 32 Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	375 grams
Measured Weight	366 grams
Measured Width Casing	32 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	31 mm
Measured Height	30 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center	0.0 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	0.2 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	3.00 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	Conti Cross28 (160 gr)
Measured Width	32 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 barHigh Air Pressure (66 psi / 4.6 bar)	Members 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 barMedium Air Pressure (55 psi / 3.8 bar)	Members 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 barLow Air Pressure (44 psi / 3.0 bar)	23.5 Watts CRR: 0.00704
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 barExtra Low Air Pressure (33 psi / 2.3 bar)	27.8 Watts CRR: 0.00833
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

Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread	56 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	3.00 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Members Only
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Members Only
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness	Members Only

Conclusion

Although the Specialized Roubaix Pro 2Bliss Ready isn't the fastest rolling tire out there, we do see good reasons to use it as a CX/Gravel bike tire. Puncture resistance of both the tread and sidewalls is very good and even better than most dedicated gravel bike tires thanks to the extra layer of puncture protective material under the tread. The actual size and corresponding volume of the 700x30/32 size are also very good while keeping weight relatively low.

Based on our test results, we definitely see gravel bike use cases for the Roubaix Pro 2Bliss Ready. On top of that, if the Gripton compound on the Roubaix Pro is the exact same compound as used on Specialized's Turbo RapidAir 2Bliss Ready, it might be one of the best gripping tires around.

RATING: 4.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Recommended

Comments