The Butcher used to be one of my favourite tyres - about five or six years ago. Then came the Schwalbe Magic Mary and the Maxxis Assegai. When it comes to cornering traction and grip on different surfaces, both tyres are significantly better. Now Specialized has revised both the rubber compound and the tread of the Butcher (and the Eliminator at the same time): more massive side lugs and wider-spaced tread blocks as well as a completely new rubber compound, called T7 (harder) and T9 (softer). I rode the Butcher/Eliminator set with T9 compound at the front and Grid Trail casing and T7/T9 compound at the rear and the new Grid Gravity casing.
The result: I have a new favourite tyre ranking: Specialized is currently at the top of my list again with this combination. The tyres have gained so much traction and damping that they ride completely differently and are worlds better than before. The Butcher is very similar to the Assegai in terms of ride feel and is absolutely on a par with it. Pleasantly smooth and well-damped rolling over roots and rock passages, very controllable limit range, which also starts late. The Eliminator has similarly good cornering bite, rolls well and, with the new Grid Gravitiy casing, offers puncture protection on a par with Maxxis Double Down.
The new edition has been an outstanding success for Specialized. The T9 rubber compound, the profile and the supple Grid Trail carcass make the Butcher in particular a top all-round tyre.
Butcher T9 : 60 Euro I 1066 grammes
Eliminator T7/T9: 70 euros I 1281 grams
