Specialized Air Trak & Fast Trak on test: Turbo tuning with brand new cross-country tyres

With the Air Trak and the Fast Trak, Specialized recently presented a duo of MTB tyres aimed at ambitious cross-country racers. Not only was the very first Specialized product a tyre almost 50 years ago, but even today, an impressive number of World Cup races are won on the American brand's rubber.

The choice of tyres is absolutely crucial for success in cross-country racing. In competition, speed counts, but so does grip. Without good puncture protection, dreams of victory are in danger of being dashed. With the new XC combination, Specialized now claims to have created the ideal tyres for the cross-country course. We have already been able to put the new Air Trak and Fast Trak tyres through their paces in an initial test.

Details Specialised Air Trak and Fast Trak

• Field of application: MTB Race, Cross Country, Marathon
• Sizes: 29 x 2.2" / 29 x 2.35" (in test)
• Price: 50 Euro / 55 Euro (Tanwall) per tyre
• Weights (BIKE measurement in 29 x 2.35"): 624 g (Air Trak) / 612 g (Fast Trak)

>> You can find more information about the new cross-country tyres from Specialized in our product presentation.

Fast, faster: cross-country tyres from Specialized

Even when stationary, it is clear that the new cross-country tyres from Specialized are designed for speed. The Air Trak in particular has a rolling, flat profile. We tested it on the rear wheel and combined it with the slightly more aggressive Fast Trak on the front.

In size 29 x 2.35 inches, the tyres weigh 624 grams (Air Trak) and 612 grams (Fast Trak). Together, they therefore weigh less than many trail tyres alone. The low weight and flat lugs ensure excellent acceleration, which is also noticeable in practice.

Anyone coming from chunkier, heavier tyres will experience a real aha moment in the first few metres. The Specialized Air Trak and Fast Trak definitely leave hardly any watts on the trail.

>> Incidentally, Specialized also presented new Roval wheels for cross-country use to match the tyres.

>> Specialised Bikes: The brand's bikes at a glance

At 50 euros per tyre, Air Trak and Fast Trak can almost be described as cheap compared to the competition. In any case, a worthwhile tuning for bikers looking for that extra portion of speed.

The new cross-country tyres from Specialized are lightning fast, especially on asphalt and gravel. The Air Trak in a narrower 2.2 inch width might even be interesting for some gravel bikers. The lightest XC tyre in the Specialized line-up is definitely an uncompromising race tyre for firm surfaces.

While the traction in the dry gave no cause for complaint, the rear wheel slipped under a lot of load during the test. The wet German forest is therefore not the preferred area of use for the Specialized Air Trak.

>> Anti-Platt: Convert tyres to tubeless or change inner tube?

>> Not convinced by tubeless? We have tested plastic inner tubes as an alternative.

Meanwhile, the Specialized Fast Trak proved to be more versatile at the front. Thanks to its clever tread, it is also a fast tyre. The slightly raised lugs also offer grip when the forest floor is wet. The strikingly open tread also ensures good self-cleaning properties.

The combination of fast T5 tread and softer T7 rubber compound on the side lugs works. Racers can move the tyre in a controlled manner at the limit. With low air pressure in the tubeless setup, the Fast Trak was a convincing compromise for the daily XC ride.

Ever since the BIKE Transalp, the toughest stage race in Europe, I've been a fan of Specialized's cross-country tyres. The predecessors of the Air Trak and Fast Trak survived a good 2000 kilometres of intensive continuous use without any defects. That gives me high hopes for the successors! - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor

Specialized tyres with Flex-Lite carcass

We tested the new XC tyres from Specialized with Flex-Lite casing. This lives up to its name, weighs little and provides good self-damping on the tyre. However, with a rider weight of 85 kilos, we had to experiment a little with the air pressure. To get the maximum grip from the fast rubber, a tubeless setup with low air pressure is recommended.

However, heavier riders need to find a compromise in terms of lateral stability, where the tyre does not flex too much under high loads, or choose the heavier Grid casing. Even under low pressure, Air Trak and Fast Trak sit absolutely reliably in the rim. So far, they have withstood granite edges, thorns and even punctures without any problems. Specialized has obviously done a lot right when it comes to puncture protection.

>> If your tubeless tyre does deflate - we tested 6 repair kits. <<

>> More tubeless repair kits, sealing foam & patches in the test (2018) - click here! <<

Conclusion

With the combination of Specialized Air Trak and Fast Trak, racers can easily ignite the turbo on dry trails. The package of smooth running and grip is absolutely exemplary for tyres in this weight class. In the first test, the puncture protection also made a convincing impression. The Air Trak is not built for traction in mud. The Flex-Lite carcass could be a challenge for heavy riders. The price is fair! - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor

Pro

• Fast acceleration
• fantastic smooth running on tarmac and gravel
• Good grip with low air pressure
• Impressive puncture protection

Contra

• Traction in the wet
• Reduced riding stability of the Flex-Lite carcass under heavy riders