CX/Gravel Tire Test: Specialized S-Works Mondo 2Bliss Ready T2/T5 35

The Specialized S-Works Mondo is an endurance tire that also should be a great fit for cyclocross and gravel bikes that see a lot of tarmac. According to Specialized, the S-Works Mondo is made for riders that demand high durability, all-weather traction, and puncture protection while at the same time still providing low rolling resistance and a low weight.

How Specialized describes the S-Works Mondo reminds us a lot of their Roubaix Pro (read our review) tire, which is well known for being an "endurant" road bike tire. The S-Works Mondo appears to be a step up over the Roubaix Pro, given it comes with the S-Works branding and corresponding price tag. The Mondo is also available in bigger sizes (28, 32, 35 mm) than the Roubaix Pro, which maxed out at the strange "30/32" size.

Like many other recent high-end tires from Specialized, the S-Works Mondo comes with their dual compound Gripton T2/T5 compound with the harder T2 compound in the center and the softer T5 compound along the edge of the tire. This combination of compounds looks to be an excellent fit for an endurance tire, as the hard T2 center compound should last long while the T5 compound provides maximum grip while cornering.

The Mondo is a 2Bliss Ready (tubeless-ready) tire by design and the base casing is made from a 120 TPI fabric. Under the center tread, we find an extra layer of Specialized's BlackBelt anti-puncture resistant material that, from our experience, is one of the best puncture breakers on the market. The sidewalls are reinforced with their Grid Race fabric, which is more suitable for sidewall reinforcement, and the combination should make for a better tire than a single bead-to-bead layer made from the same material.

We've tested the 35 mm version of the S-Works Mondo, and we're going to compare it to the Roubaix Pro in the "30/32" size, S-Works Pathfinder in the 42 mm size, and a bunch of similar tires from other brands.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Specialized
Model	S-Works Mondo 2Bliss Ready T2/T5
Year	2023
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	Very High
Buy At
Manufacturer part number	00022-4603
TPI	120
Compound	Gripton T2/T5
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	35-622
Specified Weight	360 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	80
Made In	Members Only
Available Sizes	28-622 (700x28c) 32-622 (700x32c) 35-622 (700x35c)

Specialized S-Works Mondo 2Bliss Ready T2/T5 35 Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	360 grams
Measured Weight	381 grams
Measured Width Casing	33 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	33 mm
Measured Height	30 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center	0.0 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	0.5 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	2.90 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)
Measured Width	33 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 barHigh Air Pressure (60 psi / 4.1 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 bar 43-46 = 38 psi/2.6 bar 47-50 = 35 psi/2.4 barMedium Air Pressure (50 psi / 3.4 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 bar 43-46 = 31 psi/2.1 bar 47-50 = 28 psi/1.9 barLow Air Pressure (40 psi / 2.8 bar)	20.2 Watts CRR: 0.00606
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 barExtra Low Air Pressure (30 psi / 2.1 bar)	24.5 Watts CRR: 0.00734
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	61 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	2.90 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

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	0.5 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

When we compare the S-Works Mondo against the Roubaix Pro (read our review), we're not entirely blown away by the performance of the Mondo in our tests. Rolling resistance comes in very close for both tires, although the Roubaix Pro has a slight edge at very low air pressures. Puncture resistance is very similar, with the Mondo having the edge in the tread puncture resistance tests, while the Roubaix Pro performs slightly better in the sidewall puncture tests.

Although the specified weight is lower on the Mondo, the actual weight of both the Mondo and Roubaix Pro is very similar when we correct for the actual volume of both tires. Although the Mondo is available in the 35 mm size, the actual difference compared to the 30/32 Roubaix Pro is just 1.3 mm. We expect the 32 mm Mondo to be slightly smaller than the 30/32 Roubaix Pro.

The big difference between these tires is the compound and tread pattern, as we see the Roubaix Pro outperforming the Mondo in our wet grip tests. The tread pattern of the S-Works Mondo is very similar to what we've seen on the new S-Works Turbo road bike tires that all come with tiny "knobs" along the edge of the tire, and those knobs reduce the contact patch and flex under pressure in our wet grip test.

The tiny knobs should provide an advantage on softer surfaces where the maximum grip isn't reached. This is a similar trade-off that always has to be made with off-road tires, as the knob height and knob spacing is a critical factor when you're counting on the tread pattern to provide the grip you need.

Tire choices for gravel bikes are complex and come down to the individual rider, as the many different requirements are endless. Although the S-Works Mondo doesn't blow away the competition, we can see it coming out as the best tire depending on the rider's requirements.

RATING: 4.5 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Highly Recommended

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