Butcher front, Eliminator rear: New MTB Trail & Enduro tyres from Specialized in review
Max Fuchs
· 04.06.2025
Specialized is presenting revised versions of its popular Butcher and Eliminator trail and enduro tyres for the 2025 season. The new developments are intended to offer more grip and control in demanding terrain thanks to optimised tread designs. Specialized has worked closely with its World Cup riders to perfect the tyres for use on technically demanding trails.
The Butcher was specially developed for demanding trails, while the Eliminator is designed as a versatile all-rounder. Both tyres are available in different sizes and carcass variants. Prices: 60 euros or 70 euros depending on the version. We have tested the popular pairing, Butcher front and Eliminator rear, in detail.
Butcher: Maximum grip for demanding trails
The new Butcher still looks very similar to its predecessor. However, a direct comparison makes it easy to recognise: The tread design looks more aggressive. As a result, the range of use of the trail and enduro tyre slips even further towards gravity.
The tread blocks are more massive, higher and closer together than on the predecessor. According to the manufacturer, this means that the new Butcher offers 12 per cent more contact area than its predecessor. Ergo: more grip! Specialized continues to rely exclusively on its stickiest GRIPTON-T9 rubber compound for the Butcher.
There are two carcass variants to choose from: Grid Trail and Grid Gravity. The lighter Grid Trail casing is designed for versatile trail use, rolls well and has reinforced sidewalls.
The Grid Gravity version also uses reinforced sidewalls combined with a double-layer downhill carcass for even more puncture protection. As rolling behaviour plays a subordinate role here, this version of the Butcher is aimed more at the gravity group and e-bikers. The new Specialized Butcher is available for both 29-inch and 27.5-inch wheels. Width: 2.3 or 2.6 inches.
Specialised Butcher 2025: Sizes, weight & price
- 29 x 2.4 Grid Trail T9, 1048 g
- 29 x 2.6 Grid Trail T9, 1110 g
- 27.5 x 2.4 Grid Gravity T9, 1260 g
- 29 x 2.4 Grid Gravity T9, 1307 g
- 29 x 2.6 Grid Gravity T9, 1330 g
- Price (RRP): 60 euros (Grid Trail) / 70 euros (Grid Gravity)
Eliminator: The versatile all-rounder
The new version of the Eliminator is the versatile all-rounder for trail and enduro use. The differences to its predecessor are even more clearly recognisable here than with the Butcher.
As with the Butcher, the Americans have not only inflated the tread blocks, but have also given the lugs on the tread sharper edges. This should provide more traction, especially when climbing and braking. The block-in-block design of the shoulder lugs is also new and should significantly improve cornering traction with six corners per lug.
The Eliminator is also available in two carcass variants: Grid Trail and Grid Gravity. The Grid Trail version is only available in combination with the faster and more durable GRIPTON T7 rubber compound.
In the Grid Gravity version, the lugs on the tread are made of the harder T7 rubber, while the stickier T9 compound is used for the shoulder lugs. This combination enables a successful compromise between traction, good rolling behaviour and durability.
The Specialized Eliminator, vintage 2025, is available for both 29-inch and 27.5-inch wheels. Width: either 2.3 or 2.4 inches.
Specialised Elimination 2025: Sizes, weight & price
- 27.5 x 2.4 Grid Trail T7, 975 g
- 29 x 2.4 Grid Trail T7, 1004 g
- 27.5 x 2.4 Grid Gravity T7/T9, 1240 g
- 29 x 2.4 Grid Gravity T7/T9, 1330 g
- Price (RRP): 60 euros (Grid Trail) / 70 euros (Grid Gravity)
The Butcher/Eliminator combination in the test
BIKE test editor Max Fuchs extensively tested the Specialized Butcher/Eliminator set with T9 compound and Grid Trail casing on the front wheel and T7/T9 compound paired with the Grid Trail casing on the rear wheel. Result: For everyday trail riding and occasional enduro missions, the new Specialized combination is very popular with him!
On the front wheel, the soft T9 rubber impresses as usual with its remarkably supple riding behaviour. The inherent damping and rolling behaviour over roots and rocky passages are convincing across the board. The longer lugs push the tyre's limits further, especially on deep and loose ground, and generate super traction. Thanks to the larger contact area and the more massive tread blocks, the tyre still rides precisely and is easy to control despite the higher tread.
In line with this, the new Eliminator provides noticeably more grip at the rear than its predecessor. This applies in particular to traction when braking - thanks to the sharper-edged lugs on the tread. The new tyre is also better than its predecessor at high-speed cornering. With its more stable shoulder lugs, the tyre offers a more consistent and predictable level of grip. The logical consequence: the rolling behaviour suffers from the increased grip level. Especially in the T7 version, however, everything is still in the green zone," says tester Max Fuchs.
In general, the Specialized combination is particularly recommended for mixed terrain. With the soft T9 Butcher at the front and the faster T7 Eliminator at the rear, you are ideally equipped for hard, dry ground as well as deep forest floors or gravel. Pedal-heavy tours? Also very doable!
However, the duo quickly reaches its limits in wet conditions. Due to the large and comparatively closely spaced lugs, the Butcher tread in particular quickly becomes clogged with dirt and then loses its grip.
BIKE Tip: If you like to ride with low air pressure, you should ride the more stable Gravity version of the combination. This is because with air pressures of around 1.4 bar, an aggressive riding style and a body weight of 72 kg, the more supple Grid Trail tyres quickly feel spongy and offer too little puncture protection for rough trails.
Max Fuchs
Editor
