VIDEO TEST – S-Works Fast Trak specialty tires: versatile!

The tyres S-Works Specialized Fast Trak are part of the new range of Xc racing and marathon covers, which also includes the Renegade that we have already tested (here the video and the full article).

The Specialized S-Works Fast Trak is more versatile than the Renegade and has been improved from different points of view compared to the previous version.
We tested them for several months and on two pairs of wheels and …
Let's start with a video:

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Now let's deepen the speech …

1 – TECHNICAL DETAILS
– Tire structure: 9
The Specialized S-Works Fast Trak tire structure is identical to that of the Renegades.
So TPI (threads per inch) were doubled from 60 to 120this helps to reduce the weight of the tires. At the same time, a greater amount of TPI makes the rubber more robust, but also more flexible and more efficient.
S-Works tire lines are in 210Dn polyamide.
One has been added on the side Kevlar protective layer and the shape of the small circles has been optimized.

– Available diameters and sections: 8
Specialized S-Works Fast Trak tires are available only for 29 "wheels in sections from 2.1 "and 2.3".
They cover the needs of most Xc and marathon practitioners, but a 27.5 "version could be useful for those who still use this type of bike (some S-sized brands only produce 27.5" frames) ).

– Useful width in mm: 10
The declared width of the 29 × 2.3 version is 58 mm, the actual size with a 25 mm rim is 59 mm. We did not have the chance to try version 2.1 ", the declared width is 53 mm, but the actual width could be slightly higher, as it had already happened with the Renegades.
However, these sections are ideal for current Xc and marathon tracks.

– Available compounds: 9
All new Specialized S-Works tires are only available with one compound. Gripton, which has however been renewed compared to the previous version.

The new Gripton compound is composed of silica dioxides, guarantees more sensation, more grip and more safety, even in case of shock.

As well, the sculpture has been modified just to improve the grip without losing smoothly and without increasing the weight excessively.
In particular, the central blocks are less dense, while the side blocks have been dug to make them more aggressive in the corners.
The new compound and the new design allow this tire to escape almost everywhere.

– Weight: 10
The S-Works Fast Trak Weighing Specialized from 575 to 599 according to the rubber, in version 2.3 "2.1" which we did not have, but its weight should be similar to that of Renegade, or about 510 grams.
Difficult to find tires of this section so light, especially if we think that much has also been implemented to protect the cuts and perforations.

– Easy badembly of tubeless: 10
Mounting with the compressor or with a specific tubeless pump is immediate.
Just mount it on the rim, insert the liquid, inflate the rubber bead immediately, without getting dirty.
Compared to the previous version of Fast Trak, which leaked pores to the side before sealing, it does not lose even a milliliter of puncture-resistant liquid.
In addition, these tires run more straight, are less deformed than the Renegade, at least those we have.

– Price: 8
The cost of Single Specialized S-Works Fast Trak tires 50 €: it is the catalog price communicated by a few weeks.
This is not an economic price, but it matches that of competition competition models.

Final score (from 1 to 10): 9.1

2 – PERFORMANCES
– Smooth on compact backgrounds: 10
The new Fast Traks are super soft, almost at Renegade levels, but at the same time they are more versatile.
There are no particular noises or frictions on the asphalt or dirt roads and the main merit is the renewed design, which offers more grip without using too much bellows.

– Off-road finish: 10
Abundant volume and versatile design reduce rolling resistance even on dirt.
The softer carcbad does not have to reduce the pressure too much, so the softness is always excellent.

– Climbing traction: 9
On dry surfaces, also very rough, the Specialized S-Works Fast Trak rear tire guarantees excellent grip.
On wet or muddy ground, perhaps with rocks and sticky roots, he loses a few strokes. But after all, we are not talking about a wet tire.
You can compensate by lowering the pressure a bit, but not too much, because this rubber is not designed to work at too low pressures.

– Braking traction: 10
Braking behaves much better than the Renegade, offers more safety and allows you to detach even the last second, especially if you use the model 2.3 "both in front and behind.

– Adherence to the curve: 10
In the curve, the previous version of the Fast Trak was already unobtrusive, but the new S-Works is even better.
This is mainly due to the more sculpted side blocks, but also to the new compound.
In any case, during the test, I never felt precarious sensations in the turns, any more than I played special jokers because of the coatings, as well on a dry ground soft.

– Behavior on wet and muddy soils: 8
As I have said before, the Specialized S-Works Fast Trak are not tires with fouling, but intermediate coatings to use almost everywhere except in special cases.
Special cases mainly concern muddy situations with rocks or viscous roots, where these tires fall a little in crisis and do not discharge the mud in an excellent way.
They do not become impracticable, but they certainly lose a lot of their qualities.

– Wear resistance: 10
We used them for most of the summer on the Tsunami Carbon Project rims (24mm channel), and then we put them back in the fall on Ctk Raptor test wheels (25mm channel).
We tested them at training, but also during two races and we still use them. The back is a bit worn, as usual (but not entirely), the front is still in good condition.
So we can say that the resistance to wear is really good: except cuts or punctures, they can be kept most of the season.

– Pinch and / or puncture resistance: 9
During the test, we never punctured, neither in race nor in training (even on the most difficult tracks), if it is not for a small stopper which is then repaired thanks to puncture-resistant liquid.
The foresight we had was not to use too low air pressure: fall pressure, with these tires, it becomes much easier to cut or pinch.

To give you an example, for my weight (62 kilos) I used 1.5 / 1.6 bar at the back and 1.3 / 1.4 bar at the front. In this way, the tire still offers good grip, but the risk is much lower.
In the first part of the test, I used the new Special anti-puncture fluidbut I noticed that it dries a lot before other products of the competition, especially with medium to high temperatures, which requires constant refills.

Final score (from 1 to 10): 9.5

TOTAL VOTE (from 1 to 10): 9.3

In conclusion …
Specialized S-Works Fast Traks are very versatile and high performance tires.
They go well in 90% of the cases, they can be mounted from spring to autumn on both wheels without any particular problem, but obviously with the abundant mud, it would be better to choose a more carved and specific tire.
Compared to the previous version, in addition to offering better grip in all situations, they are also safer and protected, even if they are still among the lightest Xc / marathon segment.

To get the most out of it, without problems, we advise you to evaluate the pressure according to your weight and your driving style, without going too far with the Bars.
On the hardtail, section 2.3 "at the front and back allows you to make the most of its potential.If you want a normal size, you can also choose a 2.1" rubber at the front. # 39; s back.

Here all articles about Xc tires.

For Specialized.com information