Road Bike Tire Test: Specialized S-Works Turbo TLR 28
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 11.3 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 73 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 81 Points
- Conclusion: 4.6 / 5 Highly Recommended
- Comments
- Specialized S-Works Turbo TLR 28
(100% is best)
Specialized recently presented an entirely new lineup of bicycle tires, with the new tires identifiable by the TLR label instead of the 2Bliss Ready label Specialized previously used. Specialized's most famous racing tire has also received an update, and it is now simply called the S-Works Turbo TLR, making it clear to those unfamiliar with Specialized's naming scheme that this is a tubeless-ready tire.
According to Specialized, the S-Works Turbo TLR is the ultimate combination of speed and durability. Compared to the previous generation of the S-Works Turbo (read our review), the T5/T7 Gripton compound has been optimized, and rolling resistance has improved by 10%. The TLR casing features an extra puncture-resistant layer under the tread, making the tire suitable for use in all seasons and wet or dry conditions.
The latest version of the S-Works Turbo is also 5 to 20 grams lighter than the previous generation, and surprisingly, the tanwall versions are 10 grams lighter than the versions with black sidewalls. By the way, we can't recall a tanwall version of the previous model, so this is also a new addition.
When we compare the new and old S-Works Turbo side by side, we also notice that the tread pattern has changed. The old version had taller "knobs" on the sides of the tread, and although it appears that the new version still has them, they are now minimal in height. This is an improvement aimed at enhancing grip on the sides of the tire on hard surfaces, which is more appropriate for a racing tire since it is almost always used on paved roads.
We tested the new S-Works Turbo TLR in the size 28-622 with black sidewalls and are going to compare it with the previous 2Bliss Ready generation (read our review), the S-Works Mondo 2 Bliss Ready (read our review), and a range of comparable tires from competing manufacturers.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Specialized |
| Model | S-Works Turbo TLR |
| Year | 2025 |
| Tire Type | Tubeless |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | Very High |
| Buy At | |
| Manufacturer part number | 00025-2700 |
| TPI | 120 |
| Compound | Gripton T2/T5 |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 28-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" |
| Specified Width (mm) | 28 |
| Specified Weight | 275 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 95 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
28-622 (700x28c) 30-622 (700x30c) |
Specialized S-Works Turbo TLR 28 Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 275 grams |
| Measured Weight | 271 grams |
| System Adjusted Weight (tire + valve + rim seal) |
291 grams |
| Measured Width | 28 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 25 mm (un-round) |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 2.9 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| Unmounted Casing Width | 68 mm |
| Unmounted Tread Width | Members Only |
| Tread Cover (Tread / Casing Ratio) | Members Only |
| All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 100 psi / 6.9 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim. | |
Rolling Resistance Test Results
| Rolling Resistance Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Inner Tube | None (20 ml sealant) |
| Measured Width | 28 mm (un-round) |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 132 psi/9.1 bar 25-27 = 120 psi/8.3 bar 28-29 = 108 psi/7.4 barUltra High Air Pressure (108 psi / 7.4 bar) |
11.3 Watts CRR: 0.00339 |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 110 psi/7.6bar 25-27 = 100 psi/6.9 bar 28-29 = 90 psi/6.2 barExtra High Air Pressure (90 psi / 6.2 bar) |
12.0 Watts CRR: 0.00360 |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 88 psi/6.1 bar 25-27 = 80 psi/5.5 bar 28-29 = 72 psi/5.0 barHigh Air Pressure (72 psi /5.0 bar) |
Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 22-24 = 66 psi/4.6 bar 25-27 = 60 psi/4.1 bar 28-29 = 54 psi/3.7 barMedium Air Pressure (54 psi / 3.7 bar) |
Members Only |
| The Road Bike 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 | 73 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 | 2.9 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Members Only |
Static Grip Test Results
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | 81 Points |
| Wet Grip Center | Members Only |
| Wet Grip Edge | Members Only |
| Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 Road bike grip test rim width = 19.0 mm |
|
Conclusion
- Specialized S-Works Turbo TLR 28
(100% is best)
Although it rolls a bit faster than the previous generation S-Works Turbo, the new Specialized S-Works Turbo TLR doesn't roll as fast as you might expect based on the "Turbo" part in the name. On the other hand, the puncture resistance of the tread is even higher at 73 points than the previous generation, and significantly higher than most competing tires, which typically top out in the 50-60 points range.
The weight is also slightly lower on our new sample (271 grams) compared to our sample of the old generation (298 grams). We also see a significant improvement in the wet grip tests, with both the center and edge grip increasing by 13% and 17% respectively, making the new S-Works Turbo one of the best gripping tires we've tested to date. We attribute some of this to compound improvements and a significant portion to the tread pattern, which is now more "slick" than the previous generation.
The negative part is in the sidewalls, which are thinner and weaker than those of the previous generation. We did not see any problems with sealing, so these weaker sidewalls might also be the result of improvements to the sidewall construction of tubeless tires in general that do not require the thick sidewalls we've grown accustomed to.
Overall, the new S-Works Turbo is a good improvement over the old generation. We would love to see a faster "Race" version that trades the high puncture resistance for a lower rolling resistance and weight.
RATING:
4.6
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Highly Recommended