Specialized Ground Control Mountain Bike Tire Review. Great Tire, Insane Price

[@yoondaman316]

I had a Purgatory front, and Ground Control back on my OJ Santa Cruz Tallboy LT. The Purgatory squirmed at anything below 25 psi, but the Ground Control was rock solid. I switched to a Butcher front which made things better. Specialized tires are very underrated.

[@MillerRL96]

The newest version of purgatory or older model? Im really wanting to try out the newest one they just released.

[@yoondaman316]

Circa 2020, so it was the previous model. I did a frame swap in the summer of Covid with a Transition Sentinel frame. The Butcher-Ground Control combo was great. When the GC wore out, I put the Purgatory in the rear. I preferred the GC rear as the squirm with the Purgs was even more noticeable. Since then, I went with the Maxxis DHF-DHR and gained more than a pound.

[@fromoutwest]

Just swapped out the stock Minion/Aggressor combo on my Trance for a pair of GC T7s this spring. Completely transformed the bike's handling and speed without any noticeable loss of traction. Perfect tire for most trail systems here in southern Ontario (Canada) for summer riding.

[@stevetaylormtb]

Picked up a Ground Control T5 from Tredz last week for £15! What a steal! Great to see my thoughts when taking it out for a spin were mirrored by you in great detail, Guy. Thanks as always.

[@IIISentorIII]

🙂 Running GC grid t7 front and Fast Trak t5 rear on my Stumpy. Really like that combo! Cheers from Switzerland

[@GuyKesTV]

@@IIISentorIII Fast Trak review OTW

[@robertkotroczo7908]

Ha running the exact same combo. Pretty good so far.

[@peteh7147]

That would be my ideal combo but it’s a shame they don’t offer the t5 fast trak in grid. It’s a bit odd to run grid up front but not in rear.

[@GuyKesTV]

@@peteh7147 Yeah I agree, Fast Trak in Grid T5 would be a great fast trail tire

[@peteh7147]

@@GuyKesTV I ended up going with gc controls in T5 up front and fast trak in t5 on the rear but I wish I could have had a stickier t7 front tyre in control or gone grid t7 front and t5 rear. Anyhow minor details. They used to put a fast trak grid on the rear of the epic evos years ago but never sold it after market which was weird.

[@discostu333]

The latest version is the greatest. Basically a Rekon but half the price. I am running 2.35 T7 Grid on the front of my Transition Spur with a Fast Trak T7 Grid on the back. Fast and durable XC / light trail / general mountain biking setup. Also really like the Grid T7 front and back for damper weather.

[@marksandoval5361]

I have a set of 29x2.35 Ground Control's. I rode them for about 10 rides and took them off. Very squirmy and drifty. I replaced them with my favorite tire combo a 2.6 Maxxis Rekon front and 2.4 Rekon rear both in 60tpi, Dual Compound. Rolls fast, corners great, not heavy. I've never trashed a 60tpi Rekon. You'll have it until it wears out.

[@numbers7905]

Horses for courses I guess. I’ve ridden both and I far prefer the Ground Controls to the Rekons. Using the Grid casing and T7 compound.

[@markburton9614]

Different tires work better for different riding styles and trails but Rolling resistance tests usually have Maxxis in last place and this is no exception. Ground control has a lower rolling resistance.

[@futebolguy84]

Big fan of these Ground Control tires, I’ve been using them since about 2018 (so 3 different versions I think) and love the nice all around decent grip, low weight, reasonable durability, etc.

[@arnoldmonk6381]

Used Ground Control tyres since the late 80s, never had a problem, fit and forget. The tread pattern has changed over the years as has compounds and of course tubeless. Did use Panaracer Fire XC for a few years but there doesn’t seem to be a sensible price equivalent for 27.5 or 29 wheels so back to GC. I am sure there are better tyres but value for money is what I look for.

[@gravelDave]

I have over 3K on my tubeless s-works fast track 2.35's and they are holding up really well. Worth noting that they roll really well on tarmac too. Mine were not 610g though. I weighed them at 645g.

[@JeremyLawrence-imajez]

I use the GC 2.35 on front of my FS bike. Bought a new one and it was markedly inferior which I was puzzled by. I then noticed I had bought a 2.25 version by mistake and to add insult to injury I realised I already had a spare GC in cupboard...which was also a 2.25. Gah! It was interesting how big a difference the marginal size change made on the tyres. And it wasn't a placebo type effect either, because I thought it was the same tyre.

[@peterwatson9047]

I've got the new Solaris you've just put your next video out about, c5 size, had Wolfpack 2.4" trail/cross combo for a bit but now trying purgatory front 2.4, ground control rear 2.35, both T7 grid. On the current hunt xc wide 26/28mm rims

[@adammoonface]

I rate Specialized tyres. Currently running a Butcher T9 up front and a Purgatory T7 out back on my Hardtail, both Grid Trail. The T7 is a little harsh, so personally wouldn't go to a T5 in a Grid Trail. Amazing prices, especially direct from Specialized. They have a sale on pretty regularly

[@Timtheranger]

i kid you not guy i had a giant track back in 1989 and my first upgrade was a ground control rear tyre i bought from settle cycles in the Yorkshire dales, it had a paddle style design and blew the oem tyre out of the water, those were the days, shimano 500lx and a triple chainset, good times, I'll have to have a look to see if settle cycles is still there, i remember it was next to the train station

[@GuyKesTV]

@@Timtheranger I got mine from York Cycleworks about the same time! Pretty sure Settle Cycles are still about, but that might be what Ruth and JD took over for tandems

[@Timtheranger]

@@GuyKesTV just been looking around online and mine was the ground control extreme, search retro specialized ground control and they come up under images

[@GuyKesTV]

@@Timtheranger oh I remember them. More of a paddle tread right?

[@Timtheranger]

@@GuyKesTV yep, finally i cound climb without my bike turning into a stationary exercise bike as the rear wheel just span 🤣

[@GuyKesTV]

@@Timtheranger just checked and there’s no ‘Settle Cycles’ but there is 3 Peaks Cycles now. Has a cafe too 👍🏻

[@TheAlastair34]

My epic evo came on GC T5 at both ends, they were far better than expected Currently running a T5 Fast Trak and a Renegade for summer Do wish they would do grid or grid trail T5 for the rear

[@antoniobalassone3434]

great grip and super durable...but..it might be me but putting it on is a hell of work.

[@johnnnewmex]

Spez tires are a bargain with great tread patterns but having torn numerous models and casings, I generally avoid them. And I'm very easy on tires!

[@nimbuscycles2354]

In the same boat here, the T5’s have very thin side walls and I tore mine on the second ride in. I’m pretty novice so I would say for someone who rides more aggressively than me, I hope they have better luck, but I wouldn’t hold my breath..

[@Phonophobia]

Used to run GC Grid with CushCore in the rear and Eliminator GridTrail T9 / or Hillbilly T7 in the front on my Stif Squatch and it was brilliant - just wish they made the GroundControl in the Grid Trail casing for a bit more oomph. Otherwise Speshi makes some reeaaally decent tires actually

[@jamesbeaumont237]

First proper ride with a T7 front and T5 rear Ground Control. One sharp rock ended the ride by slicing the T5 in two places. Does anyone know where I can find a matching 29” T7 GC in tan here in the UK?!

[@casestudymtb]

This is super timely, i've been slowly moving towards less aggressive tires for my local trails. I'm running forkaster v2 front, v1 rear, but I feel like I can still find something lighter, with similar grip up front. I would have bought the GC already but the tan walls are sold out everywhere and I have to say, when your bike is black, tan walls are a must. Great breakdown. Any plans to talk about the new bontrager line? The old xr4 front xr3 rear seemed like a reasonably fast set up without sacrificinguch for grip, but i'm not sure if the new naming conventions also come with nob size chamges.

[@GuyKesTV]

@@casestudymtb I’ve got a couple of the new Bontrager tires on test ATMO so look forward to reviews ASAP

[@slipperyseal762]

T5 control great on an ebike commuter too.

[@timprice9614]

Went looking for these for my pending Flare Max build (a purchase swayed by your review...btw) but out of stock in T7 everywhere inc Specialized - did they say when they are likely to be back in stock?

[@tinshield]

Good replacement for a Bontrager XR4 Team Issue?

[@lawrencehallett5669]

Is it the same tread pattern as the original designed by Charlie Cunningham?

[@LazyMagarmach]

Thank you for your video! I just got Ground Control Control T5 29x2.35. There is no mention of 2Bliss on the tyre whatsoever, and I did search every inch of it. Does your have this marking anywhere? I understand that normally it is embossed next to the Specialized logo

[@JerryNelsonBike]

I have the same tires. Mine are tuppless.

[@ceriway380]

Thanks for the good review. Can I ask if you had any experience with specialized mtb trousers.

[@GuyKesTV]

@@ceriway380 yes, very very good but with very narrow ankles. Real fight for me to get on and off if you’ve broken / sprained them too much like me 🤦‍♂️

[@YanDoroshenko]

I run a Butcher T9 and an Eliminator T7 on my Stumpy Evo that came stock. I don't know if this just indicates my level of skill, but I've never really felt any difference between tyres. I tried Nobby Nics, Bontrager XR4 or some such and the Specialized ones and they all felt... Fine?

[@GuyKesTV]

@@YanDoroshenko to be honest if you got an XR4 when Maxxis or Schwalbe were making them then those are all good tyres

[@gerardotelese5337]

For lighter/faster wet XC would it be ok to have the T5 on both front and back? (Right now i have metzcal and barzo). I priorities rolling resistece but i dont wont something that is scary on flat wet corners. What do you advice for this sort of usa? (Also i saw thta they make the S-works now woth double conpund T5center T7sides.... but unfortunately its not in tanwall which is non negotiable for me xD)

[@gerardotelese5337]

@GuyKesTV

[@timking2822]

Been on the Fast Track for a year now. Light and very puncture resistant.

[@GuyKesTV]

@@timking2822 which version are you running?

[@timking2822]

@@GuyKesTV Fast Track S-Works T5/T7. I went to this after using Schwalbe Nobby Nicks. They have better traction, but are heavier.

[@averagesimguy598]

Do these work on hookless rims? Can’t find the info anywhere

[@BurningHorizons]

Yes. I'm running them on hookless.