{"id":1882251,"date":"2026-04-14T17:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T14:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1882251"},"modified":"2026-04-14T17:01:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T14:01:00","slug":"specialized-mtb-tires-go-radialish-for-more-grippy-supportive-butcher-eliminator","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1882251","title":{"rendered":"Specialized MTB Tires Go Radial(ish) For More Grippy, Supportive Butcher &amp; Eliminator"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content\" data-element=\"content\">\n<div class=\"biker-regular_below-featured-image\" id=\"biker-1750494266\">\n<div class=\"ldm_ad ldm_ad-default scroll-track-ad\" id=\"biker-2145356182\">\n<div id=\"br-singledesktop-69dea86a70a6a\" style=\"position: relative;align-items: center;justify-content: center\" class=\"scroll-track-ad\">\n<div id=\"br-article-69dea86a70a6a\" class=\"lazyload-ads\" data-unit=\"br_dt_mpu\" data-size=\"br_dt_mpu\" data-pos=\"BR_Below_Feature_Image_1\" style=\"margin-bottom:2rem\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Specialized has precisely tweaked the fiber angles inside the Bitcher &amp; Eliminator casing, giving their gravity mountain bike tires a \u2018<em>more radial<\/em>\u2018 update. It\u2019s not quite as extreme an angle as some brands. And it\u2019s still functionally a bias-ply tire. But Specialized calls their slightly more conservative radial-ish casing construction the perfect \u2018Sweet Spot Ply\u2019 that balances a 30% boost in radial tire compliance and 30% larger tire contact patch, while maintaining the necessary lateral support to keep running low tire pressures for maximum grip.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-specialized-butcher-amp-eliminator-grid-gravity-radial-mtb-tires\">Specialized Butcher &amp; Eliminator Grid Gravity Radial MTB tires<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Butcher-and-Eliminator_riding-wet-rocks.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Butcher-and-Eliminator_riding-wet-rocks.jpg\" alt=\"Specialized Grid Gravity Radial mountain bike tires: Butcher &amp; Eliminator for riding wet rocky trails\" class=\"wp-image-414490 first-image\" style=\"object-fit:full\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>(Photos\/Specialized)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Specialized say their two new Grid Gravity Radial tires \u201c<em>reinvent how trail riders experience grip and compliance<\/em>\u201d by creating a better balance of radial compliance and lateral support.  <\/p>\n<p>When Schwalbe debuted their <a href=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/schwalbe-radial-trail-and-gravity-mountain-bike-tires\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">game-changing radial tire construction<\/a> in 2024, every other tire maker quickly took notice. But when Specialized\u2019s S-Works Tire Factory in Baden, Germany dug deeper into more-radial tire casing angles, they saw a significant hurdle.<\/p>\n<p>While brands like <a href=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/?s=schwalbe+radial\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Schwalbe<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/?s=zleen+radial\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zleen<\/a> adopted more dramatic <a href=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/?s=radial\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">radial<\/a> angles, according to Specialized, that shift also necessitated revised structures to make up for the loss of lateral support, diminishing the benefits of the more radial angles. While we haven\u2019t yet tested the new Specialized radials, that seems confirmed by <a href=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/schwalbe-romy-adds-new-all-rounder-mtb-tire-as-trail-gravity-radial-lines-redefined\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Schwalbe\u2019s own recent tweaking of their Gravity Radial construction<\/a> to give the extra lateral support that their hard-charging downhillers had demanded.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-ok-so-how-did-specialized-settle-on-their-new-70-sweet-spot-ply\">OK, so how did Specialized settle on their new 70\u00b0 Sweet Spot Ply?<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Butcher-and-Eliminator-sidewall-details-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%202560%201707%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Butcher-and-Eliminator-sidewall-details-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Specialized Grid Gravity Radial mountain bike tires: Butcher &amp; Eliminator sidewalls\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-414488\" style=\"object-fit:full\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Butcher-and-Eliminator-sidewall-details-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Butcher-and-Eliminator-sidewall-details-297x198.jpg 297w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Butcher-and-Eliminator-sidewall-details-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Butcher-and-Eliminator-sidewall-details-120x80.jpg 120w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Butcher-and-Eliminator-sidewall-details-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Butcher-and-Eliminator-sidewall-details-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Butcher-and-Eliminator-sidewall-details-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Butcher-and-Eliminator-sidewall-details-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Butcher-and-Eliminator-sidewall-details-1350x900.jpg 1350w\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Butcher-and-Eliminator-sidewall-details-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Specialized Grid Gravity Radial mountain bike tires: Butcher &amp; Eliminator sidewalls\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-414488\" style=\"object-fit:full\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<p>It all comes down to a lot of iterative R&amp;D testing. Luckily, tweaking casing angles is relatively straightforward process. And it doesn\u2019t require new tire molds to get a sense of the impact of small changes. <\/p>\n<p>As the casing angle approaches 90\u00b0 perpendicular to the direction of travel \/ tire rotation, radial stiffness in the tire decreases significantly \u2013 increasing grip, but lateral stiffness drops off as well \u2013 negatively impacting handling &amp; control. <\/p>\n<p>With a closer-to-radial casing, increased tire pressure (<em>or other heavy internal tire reinforcement<\/em>) is needed to maintain a minimum acceptable level of lateral support. But those higher pressures \u2013 what Specialized calls <em>pressure-tuning<\/em> \u2013 negate the benefit of compliance offered by radial construction. And thus, they limit the usable range of tire pressures a mountain biker can use to fine-tune their ride.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tire-prototype-testing_Lateral-Support-and-Radial-Stiffness.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2500\" height=\"1500\" src=\"\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%202500%201500%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tire-prototype-testing_Lateral-Support-and-Radial-Stiffness.jpg\" alt=\"Specialized Grid Gravity Radial mountain bike tires: Lateral Support vs. Radial Compliance\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-414487\" style=\"object-fit:full\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tire-prototype-testing_Lateral-Support-and-Radial-Stiffness.jpg 2500w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tire-prototype-testing_Lateral-Support-and-Radial-Stiffness-297x178.jpg 297w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tire-prototype-testing_Lateral-Support-and-Radial-Stiffness-1536x922.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tire-prototype-testing_Lateral-Support-and-Radial-Stiffness-120x72.jpg 120w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tire-prototype-testing_Lateral-Support-and-Radial-Stiffness-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tire-prototype-testing_Lateral-Support-and-Radial-Stiffness-2048x1229.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tire-prototype-testing_Lateral-Support-and-Radial-Stiffness-1500x900.jpg 1500w\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2500\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tire-prototype-testing_Lateral-Support-and-Radial-Stiffness.jpg\" alt=\"Specialized Grid Gravity Radial mountain bike tires: Lateral Support vs. Radial Compliance\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-414487\" style=\"object-fit:full\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(click to enlarge)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Specialized\u2019s Grid Gravity R&amp;D prototype testing illustrates the performance impacts of simply changing the casing angle from the 50\u00b0 for their standard casing (<em>vs. the 45\u00b0average of most conventional bias-ply bike tires<\/em>). Specialized iterated their prototypes in ~10\u00b0 steps for testing, up to ~80\u00b0 to mimic the angle used in Schwalbe\u2019s Radial tires (<em>according to Specialized\u2019s claim<\/em>).<\/p>\n<p>Based on their R&amp;D test results, Specialized settled on their own new Sweet Spot Ply casing angle of ~70\u00b0. They describe that those first two 10\u00b0 steps away from their standard (<em>50\u00b0<\/em>) gravity tire construction demonstrated the biggest improvement in Radial Compliance, while having a minimal negative impact on Lateral Support.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Radial-vs-Lateral-Compliance-analysis.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2500\" height=\"1500\" src=\"\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%202500%201500%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Radial-vs-Lateral-Compliance-analysis.jpg\" alt=\"Specialized Grid Gravity Radial mountain bike tires: Radial vs. Lateral Stiffness\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-414486\" style=\"object-fit:full\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Radial-vs-Lateral-Compliance-analysis.jpg 2500w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Radial-vs-Lateral-Compliance-analysis-297x178.jpg 297w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Radial-vs-Lateral-Compliance-analysis-1536x922.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Radial-vs-Lateral-Compliance-analysis-120x72.jpg 120w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Radial-vs-Lateral-Compliance-analysis-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Radial-vs-Lateral-Compliance-analysis-2048x1229.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Radial-vs-Lateral-Compliance-analysis-1500x900.jpg 1500w\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2500\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires_Radial-vs-Lateral-Compliance-analysis.jpg\" alt=\"Specialized Grid Gravity Radial mountain bike tires: Radial vs. Lateral Stiffness\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-414486\" style=\"object-fit:full\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(click to enlarge)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Hence, the Sweet Spot. <\/p>\n<p>Where you can still run the same pressure that you did in your conventional Specialized Gravity tires, or maybe just +1psi extra as a starting point.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-only-butcher-amp-eliminator-in-gravity-casings\">Why only Butcher &amp; Eliminator in Gravity casings?<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-bring-uncompromising-extra-grip-to-Butcher-and-Eliminator-for-technical-natural-trail-riding.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" src=\"\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%202000%201200%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-bring-uncompromising-extra-grip-to-Butcher-and-Eliminator-for-technical-natural-trail-riding.jpg\" alt=\"Specialized Grid Gravity Radial mountain bike tires: Butcher &amp; Eliminator only for technical, natural trail riding\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-414485\" style=\"object-fit:full\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-bring-uncompromising-extra-grip-to-Butcher-and-Eliminator-for-technical-natural-trail-riding.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-bring-uncompromising-extra-grip-to-Butcher-and-Eliminator-for-technical-natural-trail-riding-297x178.jpg 297w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-bring-uncompromising-extra-grip-to-Butcher-and-Eliminator-for-technical-natural-trail-riding-1536x922.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-bring-uncompromising-extra-grip-to-Butcher-and-Eliminator-for-technical-natural-trail-riding-120x72.jpg 120w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-bring-uncompromising-extra-grip-to-Butcher-and-Eliminator-for-technical-natural-trail-riding-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-bring-uncompromising-extra-grip-to-Butcher-and-Eliminator-for-technical-natural-trail-riding-1500x900.jpg 1500w\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-bring-uncompromising-extra-grip-to-Butcher-and-Eliminator-for-technical-natural-trail-riding.jpg\" alt=\"Specialized Grid Gravity Radial mountain bike tires: Butcher &amp; Eliminator only for technical, natural trail riding\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-414485\" style=\"object-fit:full\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<p>Specialized\u2019s Grid Gravity Radial Sweet Spot Ply claims to:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>\u201cReduce radial stiffness by 30.0%, dramatically improving trail conformity.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>\u201cDecrease lateral stiffness only 7%, retaining cornering support and precision.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>\u201cDeliver compliance and control at the same PSI riders already use.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>But ultimately, like we\u2019ve seen with Schwalbe, going radial increases tire footprint, allows for more tire deformation, increases vibration damping, and provides more grip. But more grip isn\u2019t free\u2026 and also means more rolling resistance, too. So even though Specialized describes their Grid Gravity Radial construction as \u201creinventing\u201d the grip that \u201ctrail riders\u201d experience, it\u2019s clear that it\u2019s going to take more effort to pedal the new tires up hills, too.<\/p>\n<p>So even with Specialized\u2019s reduced radial angle, this is still only tire tech for riders prioritizing maximum grip over tricky technical terrain. Think aggressive trail, all-mountain, enduro, and eMTB riders. That\u2019s where the grippy Butcher &amp; Eliminator trail &amp; enduro tires shine.<\/p>\n<p>Specialized even says hard charging bikepark riders and DH racers who rely on firm supportive tires, may still prefer to stick with conventional 50\u00b0 Grid Gravity tires, not these new radials.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-only-in-the-grippiest-t9-amp-t7-t9-rubber\">Only in the grippiest T9 &amp; T7\/T9 rubber<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Butcher-Grid-Gravity-left-vs-Butcher-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tire-contact-patch-comparison.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%202000%201500%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Butcher-Grid-Gravity-left-vs-Butcher-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tire-contact-patch-comparison.jpg\" alt=\"Specialized existing Butcher Grid Gravity vs. new Butcher Grid Gravity Radial tire contact patch comparison\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-414484\" style=\"object-fit:full\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Butcher-Grid-Gravity-left-vs-Butcher-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tire-contact-patch-comparison.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Butcher-Grid-Gravity-left-vs-Butcher-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tire-contact-patch-comparison-297x223.jpg 297w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Butcher-Grid-Gravity-left-vs-Butcher-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tire-contact-patch-comparison-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Butcher-Grid-Gravity-left-vs-Butcher-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tire-contact-patch-comparison-120x90.jpg 120w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Butcher-Grid-Gravity-left-vs-Butcher-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tire-contact-patch-comparison-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Butcher-Grid-Gravity-left-vs-Butcher-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tire-contact-patch-comparison-1200x900.jpg 1200w\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Butcher-Grid-Gravity-left-vs-Butcher-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tire-contact-patch-comparison.jpg\" alt=\"Specialized existing Butcher Grid Gravity vs. new Butcher Grid Gravity Radial tire contact patch comparison\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-414484\" style=\"object-fit:full\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">conventional Butcher Grid Gravity <em>(l) <\/em>vs. new Butcher Grid Gravity Radial <em>(r)<\/em> tire foot print at the same rider + bike load<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If you are going to change casing construction to maximize grip, you might as well start with the grippiest rubber to start. That\u2019s why the Grid Gravity Radial construction only comes in Specialized\u2019s stickiest T9 rubber. OK, also with the dual-compound Eliminator that features longer-wearing T7 rubber down the middle of its tread knobs, too.<\/p>\n<p>Interestingly, Specialized\u2019s testing that showed a 30% larger tire footprint under the same rider+bike load, also points towards more than just a big increase in grip. They suggest that it should also mean increased tire durability. If the same load is distributed over a larger area, there is reduced stress on the tire, hence longer-wearing rubber?<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-specialized-grid-gravity-radial-tires-pricing-options-amp-availability\">Specialized Grid Gravity Radial tires \u2013 Pricing, options &amp; availability<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Butcher-and-Eliminator-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%202000%201333%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Butcher-and-Eliminator-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires.jpg\" alt=\"Specialized Grid Gravity Radial mountain bike tires: Butcher &amp; Eliminator treads\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-414483\" style=\"object-fit:full\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Butcher-and-Eliminator-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Butcher-and-Eliminator-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-297x198.jpg 297w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Butcher-and-Eliminator-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Butcher-and-Eliminator-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-120x80.jpg 120w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Butcher-and-Eliminator-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Butcher-and-Eliminator-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Butcher-and-Eliminator-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Butcher-and-Eliminator-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-1350x900.jpg 1350w\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-Specialized-Butcher-and-Eliminator-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires.jpg\" alt=\"Specialized Grid Gravity Radial mountain bike tires: Butcher &amp; Eliminator treads\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-414483\" style=\"object-fit:full\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Eliminator <em>(l)<\/em> &amp; Butcher <em>(r)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Just two Specialized tubeless mountain bike tires get the Grid Gravity Radial treatment. First, there\u2019s the most aggressive, often front 2.4\u2033 Butcher Grid Gravity Radial T9 tire in 27.5\u2033 or 29\u2033 \u2013 1240g &amp; 1330g, respectively. Then, there\u2019s the more durable, often rear  2.4\u2033 Eliminator Grid Gravity Radial T7\/T9 again in 27.5\u2033 or 29\u2033 \u2013 also 1240g &amp; 1330g claimed weights.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-bring-uncompromising-extra-grip-to-Butcher-and-Eliminator_pick-up-shuttle.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2500\" height=\"1500\" src=\"\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%202500%201500%22%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-bring-uncompromising-extra-grip-to-Butcher-and-Eliminator_pick-up-shuttle.jpg\" alt=\"Specialized Grid Gravity Radial mountain bike tires: Butcher &amp; Eliminator on a pick-up shuttle\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-414482\" style=\"object-fit:full\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-bring-uncompromising-extra-grip-to-Butcher-and-Eliminator_pick-up-shuttle.jpg 2500w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-bring-uncompromising-extra-grip-to-Butcher-and-Eliminator_pick-up-shuttle-297x178.jpg 297w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-bring-uncompromising-extra-grip-to-Butcher-and-Eliminator_pick-up-shuttle-1536x922.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-bring-uncompromising-extra-grip-to-Butcher-and-Eliminator_pick-up-shuttle-120x72.jpg 120w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-bring-uncompromising-extra-grip-to-Butcher-and-Eliminator_pick-up-shuttle-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-bring-uncompromising-extra-grip-to-Butcher-and-Eliminator_pick-up-shuttle-2048x1229.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-bring-uncompromising-extra-grip-to-Butcher-and-Eliminator_pick-up-shuttle-1500x900.jpg 1500w\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2500\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/bikerumor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Specialized-Grid-Gravity-Radial-mountain-bike-tires-bring-uncompromising-extra-grip-to-Butcher-and-Eliminator_pick-up-shuttle.jpg\" alt=\"Specialized Grid Gravity Radial mountain bike tires: Butcher &amp; Eliminator on a pick-up shuttle\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-414482\" style=\"object-fit:full\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<p>All of the Specialized Grid Gravity Radial mountain bike tires sell for the same price \u2013 $90 \/ 69\u20ac a piece, just a few bucks more than the conventional versions. Get a set from your local Specialized dealer starting today.<\/p>\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.specialized.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Specialized.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Specialized has precisely tweaked the fiber angles inside the Bitcher &amp; Eliminator casing, giving their gravity mountain bike tires a \u2018more radial\u2018 update. It\u2019s not quite as extreme an angle as some brands. And it\u2019s still functionally a bias-ply tire. But Specialized calls their slightly more conservative radial-ish casing construction the perfect \u2018Sweet Spot Ply\u2019 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[268,226],"class_list":["post-1882251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-bikerumor-com","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1882251","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1882251"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1882251\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1882251"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1882251"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1882251"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}