After a long wait, Specialized finally unveils its highly anticipated tubeless cotton tires, marking the end of a nine-month-long tease. But here's the twist: these tires have been spotted in action before, with logos hidden, as early as June 2025 at the Critérium du Dauphiné. So, what's the big deal this time?
Let's rewind a bit. Specialized has a rich history with its Turbo Cotton and Cotton tires, dating back to 2012 when Tony Martin won the World Time Trial Championship riding on them. The original Turbo Cotton, with its distinctive golden/yellow sidewalls, is still available in various sizes (24, 26, and 28mm) and is tube-only. Specialized also offered a 'Hell of the North' version with enhanced protection and tread, but it seems to have disappeared from their lineup.
Now, enter the 'Turbo Cotton Folding Racing Only' tire, a 320TPI variant with T2/T5 compounds and a cotton casing, available in 26 and 28mm sizes. But it's not tubeless-compatible. Last year, at Opening Weekend, we witnessed teams using the S-Works Turbo TLR tire, identifiable by its unique sidewall color and logo. This tubeless-friendly model goes up to a 30mm size.
The demand was clear: a tubeless tire with the characteristics of the cotton sidewall model, but in a larger size. And that's where the Cotton TLR comes in. These tires feature a polyester core with a cotton wrap, likely aiding in containing tubeless sealant.
Specialized promises a unique blend of cotton's feel and modern tubeless technology's speed and precision. Interestingly, the story behind these tires is as captivating as the product itself. According to Specialized, only six pairs of these tires initially existed, and Bora Hansgrohe, who had them, refused to return them. So, Specialized decided to produce more and launch them officially.
But wait, there's more. At Opening Weekend, a mysterious clear sealant applied to the Cotton tires on the Red Bull Bora team caught our attention. The team mechanic attributed it to protection, but we're determined to uncover the full story.
The Cotton TLR tires will be offered in 38, 30, and 32mm sizes, weighing in at 280, 290, and 320 grams, respectively. They boast a 320 TPI construction and utilize the Specialized Gripton T2/T5 compound. This launch follows the introduction of five new Specialized tires last year, including the S-Works Turbo TLR with the same compound but a 120 TPI casing.
Specialized assures that these tires meet ISO standards for seamless tubeless setup, although they haven't specified which standards. And there you have it—the latest addition to the Specialized tire family, with a story as intriguing as its performance potential. But what do you think? Are these tires worth the wait, or is it just clever marketing? Share your thoughts below!
